Do You Hate to Wait?

Do you hate to wait? Whether it’s instant oatmeal, high-speed Internet or the express lane at the grocery store, we want it now. The weeks leading up to Christmas only accelerate the pace of life, yet the rhythm of real relationship with the God of all eternity cannot be rushed.

Like the wise men of scripture who followed the star in search of the Christ-child, we seek to personally encounter the King. The centuries-old practice of Advent invites us to embrace the waiting as we align our hearts to the true north of Christ’s coming. We wait in expectation for the arrival of Christ. Our souls join the refrain of God’s people throughout the centuries proclaiming, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come.”

TRUST

God’s word invites us to trust Him—to place our lives at His mercy and surrender our own agenda. It can be a scary thought. But because in Christ, God became one of us, fully experiencing the hurts of humanity, we can be sure that we have a savior who is worthy of trust.

Where do you need to more completely trust God? Invite Him into this part of your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. – Psalm 3:5

PERSEVERANCE

The Bible tells us of Magi who came from the east, following the star in search of a newborn King. We get just a glimpse of their story, but we know they acted with wisdom, foresight, and perseverance to achieve their God-ordained purpose.

Are there life-situations where you need supernatural wisdom? Write a prayer asking in faith for God to provide it.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

PATIENCE

Tradition holds that Mary rode to Bethlehem on a donkey. No matter how they traveled, for Joseph and Mary, the journey must’ve seemed to last forever. Even through uncertain circumstances, they had no choice but to practice patience and let events unfold in God’s timing.

How will you intentionally slow down and wait on Christ this advent season?

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, … to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. – Luke 2:4-6

The season of Advent can move swiftly by us. But we will slow down. We will wait. We will wait together with trust, perseverance, and patience.