Thursday, December 2, 2021
Readings:
Luke 1:68-79
Malachi 3:13-18
Philippians 1:18b-26
Waiting does not have to be hard, in fact it can become productive as long as it is faithful waiting. Waiting in the midst of anxiety is excruciating, faithful waiting is different. Anxious waiting occurs when we are deeply invested in the outcome of our waiting with little knowledge or understanding of the probable outcome. Waiting on the result of a biopsy or some other medical test that could dramatically alter our lives is one example of anxious waiting. Waiting for the judge to deliberate over who gets custody of the grandkids is another. Anxious waiting is unbearable.
So how do we move from anxious waiting to faithful waiting? To be sure this can be a challenging journey but it is possible when we enter into a trusting relationship with God’s vision of the future. In today’s reading from Philippians, Paul writes about his own journey with God. He is saying, essentially, “If God wants my life to come to an end - that is good. If God wants my life to go on so that I may continue the work - that is good.” Coming to a place of trust that informs our spirits of God’s ultimate work in creation requires faith. To believe that God is working for restoration and renewal when all we see is decline and destruction takes faith. Advent challenges us to pick up our heads and look to the end game that God has promised. An end (or rather a new beginning) that only God can bring that will ultimately be for the good of all of creation.
Steve Autrey
Senior Pastor, Denver UMC
