Please, Make Way for My Ego

A Lesson in Cultivating Patience Toward Others

Every year between March and August, I work out at the Mill Race Park lookout tower in Columbus, Indiana. I walk up and down this architecturally designed 84-foot tower to train for the backpacking trips I take each August. For vertically-challenged Columbus' cornfield flat terrain, which rarely varies in elevation from 630-feet above sea level, this is the easiest way to get quick elevation to strengthen the legs.

With only five days before my next backpacking trip to the Wind River Range in Wyoming and being cut off from civilization for over a week, I was feeling the pressure of my growing to-do list. Not only do I have things around the house to complete, but I also have to pack my food and gear and get in the last few workouts at the tower.

As I ascended each flight with my 35-pound backpack, I saw another person descending the stairs. It was an older gentleman I had met a month prior at the tower. Not wanting to be distracted from my workout, I passed him without stopping but greeted him. My pace accelerated after reaching the top. Descending quickly, I slipped by him again as we exchanged a few empty pleasantries.

I knew that if I didn't begin climbing again before he reached the bottom, he would engage me in a lengthy conversation. And I had too many things on my to-do list for that kind of investment. But rather than the man coming down the final steps, he stopped and started talking to me, blocking the way.

I couldn't hear him talk because the voice in my head was louder. I don't have time to talk. I have a lot to get done today. Why don't you move over so I can slip passed you? The voice spoke louder and even faster, but he didn’t move. I took a deep breath, and a much calmer voice said, "Love is patient, Brandon." 

Gut punch.

I finally saw the 81-year-old man. I listened to him talk about how he walks the tower each day. And for an older man who lives alone, visiting with people at the park is the highlight of his day.

It is easy for me to talk about Divine love being our center. But without the discipline of constant prayer and centering each moment, my ego (and its self-serving agenda) can quickly become my motivating force.

Question

1. As you work to make Divine love your center and cultivate patience, what situations or people regularly trigger you?

Peace,

Brandon