Our Shortcomings

 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. . .” (2 Peter:3:9).

I for one am exceedingly glad that God is patient with me. How about you? You see, no one knows how frequently I fall short of what I know God desires of me. Day in and day out I mess up, yet God remains patient with me. Sound familiar?

There are two words in the above passage that caught my attention; “overlook” and “patience.” Each word is instructive for us. The word “overlook” implies that something is not hidden or secret. In using the word, Peter wants us to know that what follows is something that’s not to be hidden or secret. We are to think about it! In other words, we are to be aware of what follows. The word “patience” literally means to be of long spirit, not to lose heart in bearing the offenses and injuries others bring upon us, to be slow to anger and slow to punish. Put that all together now. Peter’s intent is clear; he wants us to be aware that God does not lose heart when we fall short of what he desires of us. He does not act quickly to punish. He is slow to anger.  

Here’s my point in bringing this passage to your attention. I’ve come to see in my own life as well as in the life of others that an important gauge of our growth in the Lord is an increasing awareness of our shortcomings. There’s both good and bad news in that. The good news is that awareness of our failings is reflective of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. That’s good. The bad news is that our enemy (Satan) seeks to make us focus on how frequently we fall short of what we know to be right. He does not want us to be aware of and praise God for his patience with us. He would much prefer that we become frustrated with ourselves and give up. 

Now don’t get me wrong. We must not to take advantage of God’s patience. Instead, we should be comforted in considering God’s desire for us to submit to an ever greater degree to what we know to be right. He understands our flesh and longs for us to surrender more and more to his control. That’s the purpose of his patience with us. This now is where Peter’s words speak to the depth of our need. 

Simply put; we mess up. Yet God is patient so that we might be aware of our shortcomings, rest safely in his patience, while at the same time learning more and more of what it means to repent and yield to his oversight and control. That’s what growing as a Christian means. I for one am glad that God has been and continues to be patient with me. How about you?