Jesus as a Networker - Patience

If you have been involved in a business that relies on networking, and really what business doesn't use connecting with individuals through friends and relationships to foster sales and/or services, then you know there are times when you have to have great patience. Patience is rooted in that other oh so challenging virtue: humility. Without humility, patience is nearly impossible to endure. Here's a test, picture yourself in one of these scenario's: a fisherman (or fisher-person) on the sandy banks of a large lake, under the shade of a tall oak on a warm summer's morning, sitting in a comfy lawn chair, watching the bobber lazily float with the gentle waves? Or do you see yourself out in the choppy waters of the Gulf of Mexico, frantically reeling in a prized blue marlin for hours at a time, while the boat heaves up and down, muscles straining while the salty Gulf waters spray in your jubilant red-sunburned sweating face? If you consider yourself the salty Seafaring adventurer this message is most likely for you.

It's a good thing Jesus was such a humble person, because the people around him were constantly testing his patience. How many times do we read about Jesus teaching his followers day in and day out about his message of love, and forgiveness? And yet, people didn't always "get it." Sometimes we don't "get it" today either, but gee whiz, these people were sitting there right in front of him. How much more plain could that be? I think the thing that tested his patience the most though were the 12 Apostles he had personally chosen, and some of the Apostle's family members. I guess mothers just want the best for their kids. But I'm sure James and John wished their mom would tone it down a bit in the seating arrangement department.

There seemed to be special difficulty in getting on message from the key 3 to 5 guys who became the early leaders of the Church. To think that they were listening to these teachings day after day, week after week, from the greatest Rabbi of their time, and yet they clearly had times when they just weren't "getting it." Jesus, in moments of weakness, at the end of long days of preaching would say to them in exasperation on various occasions: "how long have you been following me? how many times have you heard this stuff? If you aren't getting this, how do you expect the other people to understand? How are you going to explain this after I'm gone? I wonder if I have time to find another 12?" He actually never said the last thing, but I bet he thought it a few times.

For me, to take my time with a plan or project usually is not a problem. I read in Og Mandino's "The Greatest Secret in The World," from the scroll marked III "The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my goal." I was also blessed with parents who taught, and more importantly, showed me that hard work, with patience will provide the rewards of life.

However, I am human and my patience are tested daily by rude drivers, a sometimes glacier-speed computer, prospects who won't commit to my program, weight loss, books I want to read but can't get to, patches where my lawn won't grow...all kinds of things test my patience. The key for me is to step back, breathe deeply and try to remember that God is with me. He's not going to make the rude driver more courteous, my computer lightening fast, or that darn bare spot green up. But he is with me through all this, and going through anything difficult or unpleasant, is always better when going through it with a friend.

So I suggest that you evaluate your product, program or service. If it seems sound and still holds the qualities that first attracted you to it, then take some time to check your humility. Give it the same evaluation process and if it also seems to be in balance with your life, then emotionally, and spiritually, take yourself from the choppy waves of the outer Gulf, and settle onto a cool lake bank and keep an eye on the bobber. The fish are most certainly there. And being there with the Fisher of Men, will make the catch that much more abundant and fruitful.

So, what do you think? How do you handle patience? How does patience, fit into your business or life plan? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ways patience play a part in your life. Please leave a comment, or send me an email at nfinity22@gmail.com.