Lessons from the Kitchen Drawer

 Patience. Sometimes, I lack any measure of such. I wish this problem was in only one area of my life and that I could easily say - "Ah ha, that's the problem," but it's not so. Truthfully, I struggle with waiting in almost every area of my life. It's often unrecognizable to others as I mask it quite well most of the time. But yet it is there. It manifests itself in many ways. For starters, I am easily distracted when required to read lengthy directions to assemble something.   Sometimes, my impatience shows in the occasional thinking that I remember a recipe only to recall the need for that third cup of flour too late. At other times, I am reminded of my problem when I grit my teeth so as not to lash out at that "one thing." (We all have one, don't we?)

In fact, I have a kitchen drawer that includes extra screws, bolts, washers, and other things from such projects. I don't know what to do with them, but they all rest safely in the drawer should I need to retrieve one or all of them. 

When patience is lost somewhere in the abyss or point of no return, gritting teeth are long gone. The situation looks more like a hurricane or tornadic activity; I always regret it later and must take the walk of shame to wherever I need to make amends. Even though my feelings may be warranted, my actions are not. They have created a roadblock or derailment to the pathway of patience. let alone peace. I sometimes choose to move too quickly and listen to the arguments in my head; they are so convincing but unlike the words of my Father, which are clearly written in His Word. I question; how do I get to this point?  I am quickly reminded of my kitchen drawer filled with random parts of things - the leftovers that represent my lack of patience to willingly receive and follow the instructions provided.

Maybe the disciples felt a lot like I do at times when Jesus began to reveal the plan the Father had set for Him. Three years of walking with Him, learning from Him, and preparing to be His disciples, they questioned at times but trusted Him. Jesus' instructions in John, Chapter 16 are the revelation to these men about what was to come. After all the time spent together, Jesus was about to be taken from them, at least physically. How could this be? He was going away and sending someone to lead them, yet it was someone they would not be able to see. Would that be possible? His instructions to them became increasingly dismal as he told them of the struggles they would endure. Their presence would not be welcome in houses of worship; others would seek to take their lives if they preached Jesus' message and congratulated if they were successful. These devoted men who had followed Jesus felt very confused. Yet, He left them with instructions that would fulfill God's plan for the salvation of mankind. 

It's ironic, but the disciples, too, were faced with following instructions. Theirs were urgent, though, as they had the words from God that could change the destiny of every person on earth. No room to be choosy about what they read, listened to, or followed, and no place for an extra drawer in their hearts to discard parts of this message. Every word mattered -all parts of God's plan were written purposefully

 to show every person the life path to a forever with God.

"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father - the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father - He will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning."

John 15:26-27 (NIV)

"But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears and tells you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that He receives what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what He will make known to you.

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

Dear One,

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.

John 3:16-17

Love,

Jesus