(Further reflections on “Wearying & Waiting”—Sunday 5-Dec-2021)
Waiting is arguably the most ‘hated’ word or ‘disliked’ condition and we, as fallen human being, do not want to have anything to do with it. Waiting without knowing what might come next is uncomfortable. Waiting without direction is painful. Waiting without hope is wearying. And needless to say, the wearied do not want to wait.
If you are a big ‘fan’ (who aren’t?) of waiting for Christmas and expect a gift(s) from someone who promised you, then you are very excited or anxiously counting the day because you know it is coming soon, especially if the ‘package’ can get you out of trouble or give you some assurances or lift your spirit up. Now imagine God’s ancient people who read and believe in the promise of God in Genesis 3:15 have to wait for over 4,000 thousand years and people who lived in the time of prophet Jeremiah who foretold the greatest ‘Christmas present’ (cf. Jeremiah 9:6-7) have to wait for 600-700 years before the fulfillment. They must have been very wearied because of waiting!
Jesus waited. He was waiting for the Samaritan woman so that He can give the gift of ‘living water’ that no one or no well can give her (cf. John 4:1-45). God the Father had done everything He said He will. He gave us the greatest gift of all time, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man. He waited for at least over 9 months in his earthly mother’s womb. He had gone through stages of human development from infancy to adulthood. He was living and waiting for God’s will and plan to be carried out, not in passivity but activity with ‘laser-focus’ on God’s mission and His kingdom. He was patiently waiting in the Garden of Gethsemane. He waited for 3 days after his crucifixion. He spent time with His disciples and appeared to many people after His resurrection and waited for 40 days before going back to the Father and sending the Holy Spirit who is now actively waiting for us in a long process of becoming Christlike by reminding God’s word; gently prompting our obedience as well as pointing out our disobedient tendency. He patiently works in us through God’s Word in Christ Jesus. He waits for our transformation.
Patience is more than just a virtue. It is a godly character that stems out from believing God’s word, trusting in God, whose nature and attributes are always trustworthy, and waiting upon Him. Waiting is not the same as getting ourselves busy or distracted although outwardly people cannot tell the difference. Waiting will be wasted if it is not done in hope. Waiting without having a firm assurance is ‘wishy-washy’. Waiting without praying is like going through the wilderness without water. And waiting alone is insanely intolerable.
Since God waits; Jesus waits; and the Holy Spirit waits, so should we. Whether we like it or not, we have to but learn how to wait without wearying ourselves out. Waiting upon the Lord is believing in His word, trusting in God, resting in Jesus, and surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Waiting for His general/specific will/plan for your life is actively living out His good news. Waiting will be purposeful, meaningful, useful, impactful, and joyful while living on this earth when we journey with God’s people in the Body of Christ—the church.
Now one question remains. And each of us should ask and be ready to answer honestly before the Lord, “Do you know what Jesus is waiting for you?” Name one aspect/area of your life that you want to bring it to Him (as the Samaritan woman did).
In Jesus,
—
Pastor Lap
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