“…and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…” 2 Peter 3:15
Mudslide
I’ve never experienced the terror of a mudslide, but I’ve seen pictures of destruction caused by tons of mud filling homes and cars, carrying trees and power poles and fences down hills and roads. Giant slabs of earth, along with everything in the slide’s path, are repositioned after heavy rains, entirely transforming the look of the landscape. Areas ravaged by mudslides are then closed down for long periods of time while repairs are made. Those of us who live in Northern California recently experienced the inconvenience, re-routing, and delays of road closures for those traveling to and from the coast.
The photo is of Hwy. 299 after most of the cleanup had taken place. Transformation of a landscape can take place in an instant, like in a mudslide, or it can be a slow process of erosion. It can be a huge hunk of granite that crashes down, or it can be a bit of chipping away here and there like at Mt. Rushmore.
What does this have to do with the longsuffering of our Lord? Just this: Longsuffering is an attribute of God, and thus it is a fruit of the Spirit once it is developed in us, transforming the “landscape” of our lives. “…when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared…” (1 Peter 3:20). God’s attributes are developed in us as we are transformed by His work in our lives.
In life, transformation usually comes by the slow process of wearing away undesirable attributes in us, sometimes by trials that produce character in us, or by storms that wash it out of us, or by His correction in His Word, or the discipline of consequences. Transformation might come by a life-altering event we can’t control, such as a cancer diagnosis or the death of someone dear to us.
The mud of our lives has to be cleared because if left alone, it creates a roadblock to moving forward. And as the “hillside” of our lives is laid bare, we can see the longsuffering of our Lord chipping away to produce holiness in us or, for the unsaved, to produce salvation.
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16).
An unsaved life, saved by the longsuffering of our Lord. A saved life, transformed and re-purposed. Truly, the landscape of the earth is changed when we are changed.
“Loving Lord, we submit to Your transformative process in us. We praise You for your longsuffering that changed us, both before and after we believed. Amen.”
Not a pleasant process at times, but Thank God! We finally come to that place of peace!
Amen! Sometimes the chiseling away can be painful but oh so necessary in order for our Lord to work through us to help others through some transformation! Thank you Jesus for always revealing to me the mudslides in my life!!