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The Sacred Act of Waiting
 The sacred act of waiting--that's where we left off last week. And here we are in Advent: four weeks dedicated to what? To waiting!
It's interesting to note how often in Scripture God calls his people to wait:
- The Israelites waited 40 days for Moses when he went up to Mount Sinai. Moses himself waited six days for God to speak to him on that same mountain. (Exodus 24)
- The prophet Isaiah, who foretold the coming of the Messiah, says this: "...no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." (Is. 64)
- The author of Lamentations--probably Jeremiah--speaks these words: "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." (Lam. 3)
- David says, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5)
- Before Jesus ascended to heaven he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for "...the gift my Father promised," which was the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1)
It goes on and on. So what's with all this waiting? Well, I think it depends on how we wait. Waiting is an act in itself.
For those of you who have had children, you know that pregnancy means waiting. But it is such an amazing kind of waiting. It's not the sitting around, twiddling-your-thumbs kind of waiting. It's not a powerless, passive waiting. It is entirely the opposite!
It is active waiting that includes much attentiveness, creativity, contemplation, prayer, preparation, hope. It sinks deep into the marrow and heart. It is still--but it is active.
The Hebrew word that is often translated "wait" in the Scriptures carries along with it the meaning of "looking eagerly" or to "lie in wait for." It speaks of being an active "lookout" whose sole task is to gaze into the distance and watch for a particular person to come, and then being able to recognize them when they are still just a speck on the horizon. Active waiting, then, is hope-filled, alert, attentive waiting. It is what Advent is all about. It is what this season is for.
"We relearn how to wait," as author Paula Gooder puts it,
"...a waiting that rests not in frustration but in stillness;
not in frenzied anticipation but in an embracing of the present;
....finding meaning in the act of waiting."
Finding meaning in the act of waiting for the Child-King.
With you, I wait....
Greg
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THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS
THIS SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15:
An Evening of Splendor
The Singles Christmas Dance is this weekend! Do you have your ticket? If not, you can still get it today. Call or go online now!
The Lakes Ballroom, Peoria
7 - 11 PM
Tickets: $20.00 per person
Hors d' oeuvre and Dessert bar
For Info Call:
Carol at 602-348-7563 or
Sandy at 623-581-0499
Put on your dancing shoes and come enjoy this festive occasion! Tickets can be purchased with a debit or credit card online at www.lifediscoveryministries.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16th: Breakfast Club
Bring a brunch dish to share at 10:30 AM to Greg & Jeane's house. We first share a meal together, followed by a Communion Service. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17th: Monday Night ClassThis is our last Monday night of the month. Meet at 7:15 PM at Peace Lutheran and bring a snack to share if you wish. Greg will speak. (Since Christmas Eve and New Years Eve both fall on a Monday night, we will not be meeting those two nights.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ON-GOING MINISTRIES
 TUESDAY EVENINGS 6:30-8:00 PM
Community Church of Joy - Meet in the Church Lobby 21000 N 75th Ave, Glendale Our current 13-week DivorceCare Series began on December 4th. Be sure to let your friends and family know about this dynamic video series presented by renowned experts on relationship and divorce issues. If you have recently gone through a divorce, please come. It could be the best thing you have done for yourself. Call Jerry for more info at 623-972-7651. You are welcome to join in at any time. |
