Reflecting on Patience and Hospitality Through Personal Experience

In a recent reflection, the author uses the challenges of navigating airport security and immigration in Lisbon to explore the spiritual discipline of patience. Drawing on Psalm 40:1, the author recounts the frustration of waiting in long, inefficient queues, noting that while he attempted to wait for the Lord’s help, he struggled to maintain a patient attitude throughout the process.

Using this experience as a metaphor, the author suggests that churches, organizations, and families often face similar issues regarding accessibility. While these groups may claim to be welcoming, they can inadvertently create environments where individuals feel excluded or hindered. The author concludes by referencing Galatians 5:22, emphasizing that patience is a vital fruit of the Spirit and serves as tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work within the believer.