Nobody likes to wait. Waiting frustrates us, and even infuriates us. We honk our horns, we roll our eyes, we complain, we change lanes, and even change our plans. I admit that I am guilty. When I change lanes in crowded traffic, I am always aware of where I would have been if I had stayed in my original lane. The same is true in choosing a check out lane in a store. I do not do well if I “just miss” every traffic light, even if I am in no hurry to get to where I am going. I don’t know what it is, but most of us hate to wait. We used to have to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to get the “Black Friday” sales, but not anymore. Not only do many stores open on Thanksgiving Day, but this year I saw “Black Friday” deals available over a week before Thanksgiving! Neither the shoppers nor the retailers like to wait!
In the Spirit of Waiting
As we begin to look and plan and think about the Christmas season, I am reminded of how Christmas is a yearly expression of the ultimate experience of waiting. As a kid, it was waiting for the whole month to pass until it was time for Christmas presents. It was waiting all night Christmas Eve in anticipation of Santa Claus. Those were long days and long nights.
But I also think of how the whole of creation was waiting on the Savior, from the time of Genesis 3 until the birth of Christ. And then God acted. It says in the book of Galatians that,
“In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son...”
The implication of that is three-fold. First, sometimes God intends for us to wait. God did not send forth His Son until a certain time. Before that, we waited. Second, we don’t wait in vain. We have a “hope that does not disappoint,” and as we wait on God to act in any and every situation, we can wait in the assurance of knowing that God is absolutely, altogether faithful. Not only do we not wait in vain, but God does not waste anything. Patience is a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit, and an expression of faith which pleases God. He uses waiting to develop trust, contentment, peace, and a realization that He alone is enough.
The Fullness of Time
Finally, Christ coming in the fullness of time reminds us that God always acts perfectly. He is not slow, but He is patient, and He always acts in that “Kairos” moment - translated “the fullness of time.” It means the time that is perfect, the moment of fullness... The time of perfect ripeness, when full potential is realized. The time comes…..the right time……the absolute perfect time…….not too early and not too late…..and God acts. And the result is Christmas. And redemption.
Eventually, we realize that it is so worth the wait. This Christmas season, be reminded that though waiting is tough, God is using the time of waiting and will act in the perfect moment. In that moment, we will not be disappointed.
Every time of waiting on God, in faith,
ends with a Merry Christmas moment.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.