The Need for Patience in the Body

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV

In a story published by Runners World after the 47th running of the iconic Chicago Marathon yesterday, it was reported that 24-year-old Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda won the Chicago Marathon, running 2:02:23, a personal best by over a minute and the seventh-fastest marathon time in history. If you do the math, that’s a 4:40 per mile pace for 26.2 miles! Amazing right? 

“I’m happy about my results; it’s my second marathon,” he said, noting that he took away lessons he could apply to the third. “I’ve learned a lot that in the marathon, you need to be patient. It’s about how you prepare yourself, how you add the mileage in your body.”

And while having patience is certainly critical when it comes to crossing the finish line of a marathon, it is also critical when it comes to keeping unity in the body of Christ. You see, both of these things are equally hard (I speak from experience) and require a person’s utmost willingness and ability to press on in the face of long-lasting difficulty. It’s no wonder then that biblical patience is defined as a virtue rooted in faith and trust, involving both enduring suffering with steadfastness and exercising kindness and forgiveness toward others. 

Which means, if we are to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" to which each one of us has been called, we must show "all humility and gentleness" to others, remembering that no one is going to be perfect this side of heaven no matter how much we strive to follow Jesus. That being said, as Christ's representatives on this earth, we must be patient with our brothers and sisters in Christ, "bearing with one another in love." You see, outsiders will be watching the way we live and will either be inspired to seek the Lord because of our unity or to stay in the world with it's disunity.  

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:3-6

Furthermore, when Paul said we are to make "every effort to keep the unity of Spirit through the bond of peace," he was letting us know that this endeavor would not always be easy, and might even seem exhaustive at times. But, at all costs, we must strive to do it “through the bond peace”, remembering that all believers in Christ belong to one body and are united under "one God and Father of all, who is head over all and through all and in all." 

So, knowing that there is "one body" made up of many individuals, do your part to live a life worthy of the calling of being a child of God my friend. Let your words and your actions show the humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love that should mark and unify every believer so that the lost would see this unity in the body of Christ and be compelled to become a part of the family. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are to be set apart from the world. Lord, we can't do this without You and we ask that You continue to guide us by the Holy Spirit and to compel us to keep the bonds of peace with our brothers and sisters at all costs. Lord, help us to lay down our will for Yours and our wants for the good of the body as a whole. Help us to be patient as we strive toward unity. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!