“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.  May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:4-5

A few weeks ago I posted a question on my Facebook page regarding Old Testament Laws and whether or not they apply to us today.  Many Christians believe that the big 10 (the Ten Commandments) still apply but the other 593 are no longer relevant.  Why choose only those ten?  I can understand how the commandments pertaining to sacrificing no longer apply because Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice but how does that negate all the other ones except for the Ten Commandments?  I kept seeing responses from people about how the old “Laws” are no longer relevant and my response was, “well then why do you still follow the Ten Commandments, they are part of the old?”  Not one person could come up with a definitive answer, they just kept dancing around the subject.

It was becoming so frustrating for me because every person had what they believed to be the absolute reason why but they still could not explain to me why they obey the Ten Commandments still if they do not obey the others.  I had to just let it go and realize that I only need to worry about what God was speaking to my heart and have patience for others because I am instructed to live in complete harmony with others.

Patience can be problematic for me because of the person God created me to be.

I recently took a personality test and spiritual gifts test for our church plant, which I have taken before but somethings stood out that I found quiet interesting.  For instance, I am a dominant personality, which I knew, but the description was wonderful.  A dominant person thrives during multitasking and high stress situations, they do not have the patience for others meaning when they see a job that just needs to be done they just do it.

That is totally me.  I just do it.  Not because I feel as though another person cannot accomplish it but because if I am free to do it for them then they can get something else done that I am not able to help with.  I have never been big on just sitting around and waiting.  If a group I am in is trying to get something accomplished I am usually the first to say “get a move on it.”  I know, not the nicest way of saying it but seriously, get the lead out and move forward.  I tend to clash a bit with those who want to sit around an analyze everything.

Recently, like the Facebook post, I have been placed in situations where God is reminding me of patience.  No I haven’t prayed for patience recently so I know that is not why He is reviewing it with me.  I believe He is just taking time to work on my people skills so that I can revert back to harmony in situations that get under my skin.  He is teaching me so that I may be fully prepared for the promises He has given to me.

I may have times in my life when I need to let it go (hard for me to say that phrase without thinking of the Frozen movie) which can be difficult.  But I need to just remember, I am being refined for His promises which work best when I am in complete harmony with others.