Read 1 Timothy 1:16

In the summer of 2019, I was able to see in person the statue of David in Florence, Italy.

This amazing statue of David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created in marble between 1501 and 1504 by the Italian artist Michelangelo. David is 17.0 ft tall and weighs about 6 tons.

I didn’t really know that much about David but I wondered why somebody would spend three years making a statue of a guy who lived in 970 BC, which was about 2500 years ago to Michelangelo and 3000 years ago to me.

So I have been reading about David in the year 2020, and I have learned that he was a patient warrior.

In the movie HOOSIERS, the Hickory Huskers play for the state championship against a very worthy opponent. The school Chaplain reads the story of David and Goliath to the team in the Husker’s locker room right before the game starts. The Huskers plan was to be patient against a team that likes to fast break. Be patient, work for a good shot, make the opponent work on defense and have a patient attitude. It worked. Just like patience is such a great fruit in life! Jimmy Chitwood takes a shot at the buzzer to make the greatest ending to a sports movie I have ever seen.

When participating in sports such as basketball or golf, you will see patience in action. Patience is a real key to being successful in sports. Good things take time. A beautiful garden doesn’t happen overnight. A beautiful relationship and friendship does not happen overnight. And patience is a real key to success, especially if you honor Jesus Christ while you are patient.  It is a great thing to strive for. It is not easy. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Patience is at the top of John Wooden’s pyramid of success. Good things take time.

Paul speaks of patience in 1 Timothy 1:16. He talks about how Jesus gave him strength and considered him faithful, even though Paul was a prosecutor and a violent man. Jesus showed him mercy. Paul says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom he is the worst. Jesus would display his unlimited patience as an example for those who believe in him and receive eternal life.

God was patient with David. The statue in Florence is of a young shepherd who gains fame first as a musician and later by killing the enemy champion, Goliath.

God was patient with Paul. God is patient with you and I.  Are you and I patient with others?

Tom Weckesser