Today’s scripture: Isaiah 40:31 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Terri Brown):
Every time I turn on my laptop I press the power button, type in a sequence of keys and a message shows up that says “Please Wait”. Occasionally I will chuckle at this because I have no choice but more often my lack of patience gets the best of me and I struggle with the wait so I push more buttons hoping that will hurry the process or tap my fingers some place where there are no keys (because pressing the keys has often made it worse) or I go over a list, some song or a prayer in my head.
The prayer is not the thankful, praiseworthy one expected but more in line with “I don’t have time to hurry up and wait so please get to where I can start doing what I need to”. Praying to a technical device does not seem to work.
But, more often than not, I am rewarded with message of “Welcome” and I am able to complete my tasks. So why do I struggle for the few seconds it takes to get to that point when some of the other tactics can delay the start of actually doing what I want to?
People wait on something every day of their life and most of us hate waiting. We hate waiting at the doctor’s office or in line at the BMV or even at the drive thru window of a fast food restaurant.
What about if we have to ‘wait on God?’ Sometimes we may be praying and praying for something and maybe we even get to the place where we are not sure that God even hears our prayers anymore. Waiting and having patience is a topic which coincides with the season of Advent.
Many traditions including certain kinds of worship, lighting of the Advent Wreath, reading of specific scriptures and prayer, which can prepare us spiritually for Christmas and represents the first coming of Jesus Christ. But we also prepare for his eventual second coming. So I am often reminded this year to accept the gift of waiting and patience as I look forward to the day that I will have my strength renewed by the Lord. And instead of feeling weary, or experiencing pain, discomfort, displeasure or trepidation I know I will no longer fear for I will able to “soar with wings like eagles” and be comforted by the Lord.
That will be my reward for waiting patiently, praying and doing the right things (punching the right keys).
Thought for the day: So I am reminded of the picture I often have in my head of the Angel Gabriel coming before Mary and asking her to prepare for the birth of a son. So much additional “data” came with this message but he asked her to not be afraid as she took in this information and did not hesitate to welcome this child into her life and proceed with the work she was asked to do. Let us also prepare for the coming of the Lord and practice waiting with prayer and open hearts.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.