Today’s reading: Luke 1:1-7
The word “Advent” is a version of the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the coming of the birth of Jesus and celebrating it each Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming when he returns for his bride, the church.
We look to this season of Advent as a time of great expectation.
This expecting involves WAITING. Do you like to wait? Dumb question, right?! I do not like waiting on a red light to change or my green arrow to tell me it is my turn and I, for sure, do not want to wait on something more important that effects my life. I remember waiting to have children and the many failed attempts to become present with my 1st child. Going to infertility doctors and given yet another plan that involved … waiting! It was so draining. And when you are waiting for something you long for so deeply, it is excruciating.
I want to know the details.
I want to have the answer.
I want to solve the problem.
I want to move on if that is all that is left.
I want to finish the job.
I want to arrive to my destination.
I want to heal.
I want to have closure.
But WAITING… this is the hard part!
It is boring. It is ugly. It is sad. It can be messy, confusing and down right lonely! We can even begin to feel as though God has checked out and everyone else around us is too busy with their lives to really stop and show interest or care.
Do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth felt any different? Was their waiting easy?
In our lives, it is hard to rejoice with others when they are getting the very thing you long for. Elizabeth must have been tired, broken and weary. She was a real woman who had been waiting and doubting and yet “walking blamelessly”. She pressed in and leaned on God even in her dispair. She continued to press into God even when she felt hopeless! Note also: they continued in PRAYER. Do not give up on prayer! This is your secret weapon and sometimes your only weapon! We must keep communication with our heavenly Father, the source of our strength and peace.
I remember my first Christmas as an expectant mom. I connected on such a different, deeper level that Christmas, especially with Mary, the mother of Jesus. I was 29-30 weeks pregnant and definitely feeling it – the weight and the emotions! It was not an easy road getting to that point. I had to stop all medications I had taken on the regular that allowed me to function through daily life for 15-20 years. My body went through a lot of stress and change. My husband and extended family had to watch this and help out more with just even normal everyday activities as I would have bad days with my physical strength and stamina to pull of daily tasks and work also. Please hear me! I have felt the pains of infertility, false tests and even miscarriage. Your pain, my dear sister, is REAL! I don’t discount it or by no means want to sit here and write to tell you it will all be ok. Sometimes, let’s be real…it doesn’t feel OK in the moment. I pray for you today as I study this! I don’t have a magic pill or any perfect comforting words but I can pray!
This doesn’t just apply to pregnancy, infertility or motherhood. The waiting comes in many forms and it can not be dismissed. Some of our waiting for the good news, the baby, the guy, the job, the cure, the raise or the answer to your next step in life…it causes scars! Even with an answer, it doesn’t just go away. The waiting changes us! It affects us forever. Waiting is unfortunately unavoidable. I don’t want to just flipantly say, it makes you better or it increases your faith. Yes, it truly does BUT sometimes it is simply too much.
So, I GENTLY remind you…
God sees you.
God knows your heart.
God hears your prayers.
God discerns your groans and he catches every tear.
This is YOUR Sovereign God! Call on Him! Cling to Him! In the dark or in the light. In the valley and on the mountaintop, because rain WILL come – prepare. Prepare your heart now in this Advent season to depend on Christ alone as he is the answer. He is the Gift. He is the only Solution.
He does not dismiss your pain. He does not walk out on you even when you don’t trust. He does not give up on you even when your faith fades. He does not throw his hands up because of your doubt or fears. He does not use your waiting to punish you!
Zechariah and Elizabeth did not have to wait because they had messed up in some way. He doesn’t look for us to fall and then rush to punish us.
He is close to us. He doesn’t grow weary and he is strong enough and willing to carry us if we will just ask. When you get to the place where you think you can go no further on your own, I urge you to look to Him, seek Him, ask Him like a 9 year old little girl looking up at her daddy. “Oh daddy, will you please carry me?” My daughter, at 9, already knows – as much as her daddy pushes her to be independant and to be strong and to do the best at all that is required of her, that when it comes down to it, he is there to pick her up when she grows exhausted. There is always a piggy back ride waiting. When she comes to him at the dinner table and wants in his lap for a hug or snuggles, he will not turn her down. He knows this time is necessary for her growth and for the closeness of their relationship. How much more does our heavenly Father love us? He is WAITING for you to crawl up in His lap in your WAITING! HE WILL BE YOUR COMFORT AND YOUR STRENGTH.
In the good or bad, He is our constant companion. He is our Sovereign Lord. Whatever season you are in during this holiday, your story doesn’t end here.
If there is something specific I can lift up in prayer on your behalf, I would be honored. Send me a private message through Facebook or comment in this post here on the blog. If you know me personally, I am just a phone call away! I offer no solutions or great words of counsel, but I can go to God the Father and bring your situation to his feet.
Happy Advent! Merry Christmas!
I love you 1,000 elephants! (and there is nothing you can do about it!) 😉
Your Rooted and Restless friend,
Tara