2 Peter 3:14 – Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of the Lord as Salvation.
I am bad at waiting. I always have been. When I was younger—you know 21, 22—I used to work as hard as I could to find all my presents before they got wrapped. I knew all the spaces, the closets and secret cabinets. I always knew exactly what I was getting. I even once remember opening a package to see what was inside and then meticulously wrapping it back up just as it was (it was 1984, I was getting a ‘Top Gun’ fighter coat). I even got to the place where I would brag to my parents that they couldn’t buy me anything without me finding out what it was.
Before long no one wanted to buy me any gifts. I had sucked all the fun out of gift-giving.
The truth is waiting doesn’t make me peaceful (as Peter suggests); it makes me anxious. I want to know. I want to have—now!
I think this is why we need Advent. Really. Advent (which is the current season of the church year) is all about expectant waiting. It’s about learning to wait peacefully, because we trust that God is working out God’s kingdom. It’s training camp for Kingdom waiting.
You know, when it comes down to it my problems with waiting are really problems with trust. Back then, I didn’t trust my parents to get the ‘right stuff.’ I was afraid they’d blow it; you know, they’d get me something lame. So I had to check up on them. But, looking back, that never really happened.
The same principles apply with God. Do we need to ‘figure out’ what’s coming up next with God, or is it enough to Trust that God will come through in the end, giving us what we really need? It’s something to consider.
Peace,
Adam
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