Greetings church family near and far, welcome to the May 22 2020 post from Peachtree Baptist Church, my name is Paul Capps, pastor.

Yesterday, we spent some time thinking through what it really means to suffer. We learned that what many may consider suffering right now is not at all what scripture teaches. Jesus, who suffered for others, calls us to suffer alongside those who are truly suffering due to poverty or violence or even to suffer for the common good so that all may be lifted up. And so we care as much for the health of others as we do for ourselves. It can be trying, but we can find joy in it as well. One of the ways we suffer alongside others is by practicing patience, one of the fruits of the Spirit.

This Memorial Day weekend I feel sure that many of us will need to practice a lot of patience. There will be more people on the road, and just generally out and about. If someone isn’t wearing a face covering and they are getting too close to you, practice patience, but also make sure you’ve got your face covering on. If you are stuck inside and still feeling anxious about getting outside among people, practice patience internally. Rely on the Spirit to remind you that Jesus promises peace, not as the world gives so that you can conquer fear (John 14:27). Practice patience with your family as you may be feeling the stress of demands, as you manage a variety of external expectations. Finally, allow yourself to name how hard life is right now. It doesn’t do God any honor by suggesting that everything is fine. Rather, praise God for your life and petition God to continue the hard work of restoration through you by the power of the Spirit. 

On April 30, when Thomas Ballew, our Music Associate recorded his extemporaneous piece inspired by the themes presented in Acts 1 and 2, he finished and said, “anything else you want me to play?” And so I told him that I’d been thinking about the idea of patience a lot, and he really related to that. So based on the theme of patience, he played. Today we offer it to you as well. You’ll hear joy and lightness, before the frenetic feeling we often have prior to losing our patience, which often leads to feelings of frustration and even anger before releasing it and finally regaining some footing, even as we are changed by the experience. I felt very blessed to be present when he played this and heard sounds coming from that piano that I didn’t know it could make. I hope you find encouragement in it as I did. All the best for your Memorial Day weekend. Look for an email on Sunday morning for the zoom link to join in for our weekly Bible Study and time of worship.

Patience, Case Maclaim