Every taxi driver is different. Due to a variety of things (primarily old age and no motor bike driving experience) we travel almost exclusively by taxi. Each week between the two of us, Jan and I probably ride in 15 - 20 taxis a week. Some drivers are aggressive and very good, others are slow and hesitant.
One day this week I took a small taxi (they are the cheapest) to the office. Very quickly I noted that he was a very slow driver. For fun I thought I would watch the speedometer. Even when the road opened up for 100 meters in front of him, he never went faster than 40 km per hour. I think we averaged closer to 30 km for the 20 minute trip. In his case, a 25 minute trip. Very safe but oh, so slow. Yet it did not bother me a bit.
Life in most developing countries is lived "slowly". You either adjust or you are constantly frustrated. And of course we don't experience "slow" like many in less developed countries.
I was reminded that God often chooses "slow" according to our plans and our timing. Slowing down and waiting for God's timing is for many of us a learned skill.
Funny how we can be very slow to respond when God prompts us to do something: slow to break a sinful habit; slow to start a habit that would help us toward holiness; slow to make obvious decisions; slow to respond to the prompting of God's Spirit; slow to help another in need.
Yet when we pray for something we want God to act quickly. We would really like Him to be on our fast track.
Is it any wonder that in two very familiar passages the word and character quality of patience appears. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience---". Galatians 5:22
"Love is patient, love is kind." I Corinthians 13:4
So here is to toddlers, slow taxi drivers, some government departments and all of those who, if we let them, will help us grow in patience.
One day this week I took a small taxi (they are the cheapest) to the office. Very quickly I noted that he was a very slow driver. For fun I thought I would watch the speedometer. Even when the road opened up for 100 meters in front of him, he never went faster than 40 km per hour. I think we averaged closer to 30 km for the 20 minute trip. In his case, a 25 minute trip. Very safe but oh, so slow. Yet it did not bother me a bit.
Life in most developing countries is lived "slowly". You either adjust or you are constantly frustrated. And of course we don't experience "slow" like many in less developed countries.
I was reminded that God often chooses "slow" according to our plans and our timing. Slowing down and waiting for God's timing is for many of us a learned skill.
Funny how we can be very slow to respond when God prompts us to do something: slow to break a sinful habit; slow to start a habit that would help us toward holiness; slow to make obvious decisions; slow to respond to the prompting of God's Spirit; slow to help another in need.
Yet when we pray for something we want God to act quickly. We would really like Him to be on our fast track.
Is it any wonder that in two very familiar passages the word and character quality of patience appears. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience---". Galatians 5:22
"Love is patient, love is kind." I Corinthians 13:4
So here is to toddlers, slow taxi drivers, some government departments and all of those who, if we let them, will help us grow in patience.
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