Waiting

Yesterday was a day of waiting.  Waiting at the car dealership for an oil change and check up to be complete. waiting because the lady that does my hair was running late...I felt like most of the day was spent sitting and waiting for someone else to get done with something so I could go about my day, with my plans, in my timing.  LOL  This morning I was thinking about this waiting.  And as we are getting into the season of Advent I guess it just makes sense that "waiting" seems to be front and center in my little world. 

I wasn't happy about the waiting yesterday.  I have to say.  I don't mind waiting a little while.  I actually use it as a time to just sit and relax, read a book, a forced time out as it were....There is no real activity while I am waiting.  But after a while, when the minutes turn into hours I start getting antsy, knowing that there are others things I need to be doing and just sitting here is not getting them done. 

But all this waiting leads me to think about Christmas.  About Advent, and the waiting of the Jewish people for Messiah.  Thousands of years they waited for the Promise.  Genesis 3:15  And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.  He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”  Deuteronomy 18:18  Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.  Psalm 132:11  The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.  

My favorite story of waiting in the Bible is in Luke 2:25-35  25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,  29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.  30 I have seen your salvation,  31 which you have prepared for all people.  32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Anna's story follows it and I think it perfectly describes what we are to be doing while waiting on the fulfillment of God's will and promise in our lives.  Luke 2:36-37   36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.  She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.   Anna spent her time in worship, prayer and service to the Lord.  And think about the fasting as well....spending time ardently seeking the Lord instead of physical sustenance. 

Waiting is never easy.   We want to see God's plan now.  See His fruit in our lives now.  We live in a microwave, fast food, drive through society.   One of my favorite things is my Starbucks app.  I put my order in on the phone, and by the time I drive to Starbucks, my coffee is sitting there waiting for me!Waiting in not on our agenda!   But I don't think God has the same agenda or timing with His plans.  There is no "God app" for instant answers.  LOL 

Children wait eagerly for Christmas morning.  They anticipating blessings, trust that good stuff is coming their way.  I'm thinking we need to be the same way, eagerly awaiting God's promises in our lives, knowing that good things are coming.  And while we wait, service, worship, prayer, faith. 

Lord, teach us to wait, patiently, actively, in faith and with thanksgiving.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

What can you change to make your waiting time more productive and faith-filled?  Add prayer, add thanksgiving....Look to the the Lord to lead you while you wait on the fulfillment of His promises in your life.