Read: Romans 8:22-28
The season of Advent means that something is coming. In fact, the word advent comes from the version of a Latin word that means “coming.” You can see how that fits with this season that leads us to Christmas. We wait patiently and with expectation for the coming of Jesus then (his birth) and now (his second coming).
One of those is fulfilled (Jesus’ birth) and for the other (Jesus’ second coming) we wait patiently. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Patience is a virtue, but it is also a challenging trait to live out in our fast paced culture and instant society. We are usually expectant, we just aren’t always into the waiting part.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday I was blessed to be able to be with my family. During our conversations my father told a story that is a great example of patience. He drives a Chevy Colorado truck that has had trouble starting recently. Over time he has learned that if it does not start, he needs to wait a certain amount of time before trying again.
In his experimentation he learned that a 9-minute wait is too little, and a 12-minute wait usually is successful in getting the truck to start. I was amazed at my dad’s patience in sitting there for 12 minutes. So I asked him what he does during that time. His answer, “I have a prayer list in my visor, so I pull it out and use that time to pray for people.” Perhaps he also prays that his truck will then start. His example is an encouragement for me to slow down and be more patient.
By the way, my dad has investigated this issue with his truck extensively and talked to numerous mechanics to try and figure it out. We encouraged him to either get it fixed or get a new truck. But in the meantime, he will continue to be a patient prayer warrior in the cab of his truck. Advent is a time of expectant waiting; may we wait with patience and joy.
Make it Personal: The Christmas season ahead is often consumed by hurried people and frantic shopping. Let’s slow down this year and enjoy the expectancy, the preparation, and the joy that Christmas is truly supposed to bring. The celebration of our Savior Jesus is the reason we celebrate!
Have a wonderful December,
Pastor Glen Rhodes
