Ecclesiastes 7:8
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.”
This verse reminds us that beginnings are full of guesses and quick conclusions. We taste a sip, see a moment, hear a sentence, and think we already know the whole story. Pride rushes to judgment. Patience waits until the end.
I thought I knew about Pepsi. I was loyal to Coke and proud of it. Then came the taste test at the Kansas State Fair. One tiny sip and I chose Pepsi. I walked away surprised and not all that happy about it. Later, in Sam’s, I tasted a bite of gravy on a meatball. It was delicious, so I bought the gravy. I should have bought the meatballs. The powdered gravy ended up in the trash.
Neither of those small samples told the truth. A quick taste can fool you. I have learned that you cannot decide if you love swimming by dipping your toe in the water. You cannot judge a job by a brief tour. You cannot know a person by one conversation. You need time. You need patience.
Solomon knew that life needs more than first impressions. A patient spirit keeps us from walking away too soon. God often does His best work in the long stretch, not the first moment. Give things time to develop. Give people time to grow. Give God time to finish what He has started.
Pride wants to decide now. Patience waits for the end of the matter.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.