A prayer to rest in the waiting promise of God.
Author: Pastor Kyle Norman
Bible reading:
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables us to bring all things under His control transforms our lowly bodies into the likeness of His glorious body.” – Philippians 3:20-21
Listen or read below:
Is it fun to wait? For example, do you want to find the longest line at the grocery store and get in line behind someone who pays with a nickel? Do you want to move at a traffic jam or a snail’s pace to work or school?
I didn’t think so.
No one enjoys waiting. Waiting is rarely one of the things we want to do. It brings frustration and annoyance. This is especially true when we live in a world of instant gratification, where high-speed internet is never fast enough. All around us, there is a movement to move faster. Every day it seems like new products, apps, and AI-related tools emerge to help us manage our lives. The motto of those who hate waiting is: “We have places to go, we have things to do!” So we’re always on the move, always competing from one thing to the next. In the eyes of the world, waiting means falling behind.
But what about our life with God? Is God calling us to rush forward, to fly wild?
The Bible has a lot to say about waiting. In fact, waiting is the primary attitude of our Christian life. We look forward to the Savior’s return. We are waiting for a complete change in life. We look forward to the second coming of Christ. There all will be fully and finally saved. Being a Christian means waiting.
However, this sense of waiting is not passive. We don’t just stand in one place tapping our feet and twiddling our thumbs. For Christians, waiting is active. Waiting involves a bold belief that we will participate in the Lord’s coming. “Wait” boldly declares that all things are working toward the purpose and will of Christ at this time. Waiting recognizes the presence of Jesus and the work of the Spirit around us and in us.
When we rush from place to place, we tend to believe that our lives are lived by our own effort and will. We get so busy with what we’re doing that we forget to pay attention to what God is doing. But when we stop and become still, we can recognize the blessed atmosphere in which we live. By waiting, we can understand the promises of Jesus. we are not alone. We are constantly being made into His image. God brings all things under His loving government.
As we approach the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord, we are called to embrace the discipline of waiting. But this waiting does not simply mean waiting for a baby in a manger. We are called to recognize that Christ is coming again. We await his return and the establishment of his kingdom. And as we wait, we open our lives to God and ask that God’s salvation be made known in our lives today.
Yes, waiting can be difficult and frustrating, but it is also an essential discipline in our lives. If there is a wait, please be encouraging. Please continue to pray. Don’t give up. Waiting does not mean you are abandoned or that Christ is not with you. In fact, the time you wait can become the time you should rely on his promises. Waiting for Jesus is not a waste of time. It doesn’t sit around doing nothing. As we wait, we are giving our souls the space they need to dwell in the presence of the Lord. We live a called hope, a hope that is rooted in the certainty of Christ’s guidance and promises.
Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus,
At this moment I pause all efforts and all races. I quiet myself for a moment before you, knowing that you are here with me. I pray that you will help me to see your work in me and all around me during this time of waiting. Open my eyes to recognize the traces of your presence. Open my heart to hear your call to participate in your work in the world. Open my heart to accept the changes you want me to manifest.
Lord, you graciously promise hope, love, forgiveness, and new life. May your promise grow even more within me as I wait for your return. May my life be a testimony to your great goodness. Help me to live the very salvation that awaits me.
In your holy name we pray, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: Pexels/JÉSHOOTS
The Rev. Kyle Norman is senior pastor of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. He holds a PhD in spiritual formation and is a sought-after author, speaker, and retreat leader. His work can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, and Renovare Canada. He also maintains his own blog, revkylenorman.ca. He has 20 years of pastoral experience and focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.
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