Many events are experienced in three
phases: anticipation, realization, and memory. Heightening
one phase may often lead to an increase in the next.
Since with God we never have to be disappointed in our
expectation (Romans 10:11 NAS & NLT), the more we
build our anticipation the more our experience becomes
a great adventure. With success in a great adventure
comes a grand memory of what happened. Consequently,
we can use these remembrances to spur us on to even
greater anticipation for what God has in store for us.
Paul talked about how compelling his memory was
of the Thessalonians.
I Thessalonians
1:3:
Remembering without ceasing [with careful attention
and perseverance] your work [ergon-any
and every kind of work] of faith, and labour
[kopos-hard work resulting in fatique]
of love, and patience [hupomonê-endurance]
of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God
and (even) our Father (Who rewards us.).
Hupomonê
means steadfastness, constancy, or endurance. It is
the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from
his deliberate decisions by even the greatest trials
and sufferings. It is a patient enduring… a sustaining
perseverance. It does not easily succumb under suffering,
and is opposed to cowardice or despondency. It deals
with endurance of situations. Not only does our hope
build this endurance in our lives, but enduring situations
also builds our hope.
Another word for patience in the Greek is makrothumia,
meaning forbearance, longsuffering, or slowness in avenging
wrongs. It is one of the fruit of the spirit listed
in Galatians 5. It is the self-restraint which does
not hastily retaliate a wrong. It is opposed to wrath
and revenge. It deals with endurance of people. Not
only does our operation of the manifestations build
this patience in our lives, but enduring people also
builds our desire to operate manifestations.
Where does this hupomonê come
from? How do we develop it in our lives? As with many
other great qualities of life, this hupomonê
kind of endurance comes from God’s Word.
Romans 15:4-6:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written
for our learning, that we through [dia] patience
[hupomonê] and comfort [paraklêsis]
of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience
[hupomonê] and consolation [paraklêsis]
grant you to be likeminded one toward another according
to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind
and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
God is a God of patience
and comfort, Who has made it available for us to enjoy
the same patient endurance and comfort through His Word.
Our experience with the rightly divided Word of God
encourages patient endurance and comfort to develop.
James 5:10,11:
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in
the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction,
and of patience [makrothumia]. 11 Behold, we count them
happy which endure [hupomenõ, verb form].
Ye have heard of the patience [hupomonê] of Job,
and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is
very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
People want to remember
the misery associated with Job. God encourages us to
dwell on his end, the great deliverance and abundance
he enjoyed.
Just as we have a plan and a design for many
things that we do, be it planting a garden or guiding
a family, God has a plan for our lives, too. Regardless
of what may be going on in our lives now… no matter
how things look or how you feel at this moment, be assured
that God is busy at work on His plan for you. His plan
reflects His purposes, His methods, and His timetable,
and of course it can only be found in His Word. If He
did it for His servants in the Old Testament, He’ll
certainly do it for His sons in our day and time.
Jeremiah 29:11:NIV
For I know the plans I have for you," declares
the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God's Good Plan is:
An Adventure. His
plan will result in His best for you. This awareness
can offer security and hope despite the ups and downs
of life. Let your life be your personal adventure
with God.
A Process. We tend to like end results
more than the process that gets us there. However, remember
we can enjoy life in all three phases: anticipation,
realization, and memory. Capitalize on what goes on.
An Opportunity. Try to profit from
every experience that comes your way, the difficult
and painful times as well as those times when life is
going smoothly. Seize the day! Milk the moment! Enjoy
the “now.” For a man who is prepared an
opportunity is a springboard for success.
I’ve had many hallmark
days. I will never forget the things that transpired
on those occasions. The incidents and lessons have been
indelibly etched in my mind and heart. For the most
part, I didn’t know when the day began that it
would end up that way. All days add to our thankfulness
to God and appreciation of life… they all build
toward the masterpiece we are building of our lives.
However, some days get more “brush strokes”
than others. Some days I’m working on the background
and some days on the focal subject, but all days contribute
to making my life the best it can be. Let’s enjoy
each one and expect another hallmark day sometime soon.
