Waiting

As we enter into the season of Advent, remember that Advent is about waiting.

 

We're not very good at waiting these days. We have created an instant culture, where we get fast food, or cook in microwaves, reduce our world to sound bites and video reconstructions and expect a quick pay back on our spiritual investment.

 

Jesus waited for millennia to show up on earth the first time. Now it's been a couple more thousand years waiting for Jesus to come back again. But when it finally happens, or when we leave this life for eternity, these years will be a blink of an eye, and we'll have a never ending moment to be with Jesus.

 

I almost said, "I can't wait," which is true, but a little ironic, because wait we must. And practicing waiting is good for all of us. Builds patience, and we all need that, especially this time of year.

 

So practice. When you're in that long line at the store, remember when it's finally your turn how hard it must be to be that employee helping everyone. Say something kind.

 

When you see that harried mother trying to herd children and shop, see if you can hold the door or help in some way. Or that older person struggling with packages, try to lighten their load.

 

Model waiting. Because after all, Jesus is waiting on us. Waiting on us to become the people God created us to be. And that really takes patience.