Advent: Waiting
Advent: (noun)
-The arrival of a notable person, thing or event
-The first season of the Christmas church year, leading up to Christmas and including four preceding Sundays
It is Advent season. Christmas season. The season of waiting. Waiting on the birth of Jesus. Waiting on Santa to come down the chimney.
Recently, I applied to study abroad. A good friend of mine is waiting to hear on whether or not she is accepted to the university of her dreams. My mom applied to a new job.
These things can distract us in this season by worrying on the outcome. Perhaps, you too have something you are waiting on. This is the time to lean on Jesus and pray hard.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Waiting can be a challenge. It’s difficult to truly maintain peace in a season when we are anticipating so much.
That’s what God asks us to do.
Many people in the Bible were asked to wait.
Elizabeth waited for years to have a child. Jacob worked and waited 7 years for Rachel. Abraham and Sarah. The list continues…
What we can be assured is this: there is a reason for our waiting. The Lord uses this time to prepare us, to center us, to heal us and to guide us. He will provide a yes, no or a, “I have something better in mind.”
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
We can be assured that He is so good. That good things and good news is coming.
Psalm 46:10 reads, "Be still and know that I am God."
This verse translated in Hebrew actually doesn’t mean to literally be still or even be quiet. It translates to,"Let go."
So in this season of waiting, take a deep breath. Inhale your blessings, and exhale your worries and doubts. Pray on the things and people you are waiting on/for. He hears your prayers, He knows your heart. Do you trust Him with this?
Enjoy the moment you are in. He will bring the next, in His time. Which is way better than ours.
Remember that waiting can be a blessing, and can bring an even greater blessing.
My prayer for you and I today:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You calm my anxious mind and prepare my heart for the answer or the moment You have coming. I trust in You, that what is coming is good and true. I know that Your plan is greater and Your timing is best. Grant me peace in this season of waiting and help me to remember the true reason for this season of Christmas—the birth of Jesus, my Savior. Help my mind to be calmed by the fact I am so loved.
Amen.
““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.””