“We are waiting with expectation, Spirit raise us up with You” – “Let the Church Rise” by Jonathan Stockstill
We are a few days into the Advent (Latin translation “Coming”) season and God really laid on my heart this longing, an expectation of his coming. I think it’s fair to say that the body of Christ is in a season of waiting, regardless if it’s the Advent season or not. Before I get into the body of my message let’s take a minute to re-focus…
In the months leading up to Christmas we can get a little distracted. Everything seems to be happening at once, shopping for Christmas presents, trying to make your budget work, worrying about how your kids are doing in school, _____ fill in the blank. Even outside of Christmas our minds are working a mile a minute just to figure out this thing we call “life.” Does this resonate with you? Ok take a deep breath, hold it…hold it… okay let it out (do this until you are relaxed and calm).
“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” -2 Peter 3:10
We as humans have a yearning, a desire and an innate and primal urge for Love (God). We can’t escape it, no matter how hard we try. We can stuff it down into the inner most pits of our consciousness and starve it until it’s shriveled and dry, but it’s still going to be there. The world’s desire for God was sated when Jesus came. The minute he stepped forth on the earth a light started to grow in the darkness that we had fallen into. When he left the earth he spoke of his return, and ever since that moment the body of Christ has been waiting for this Advent… his coming.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9
God has not forgotten his promise. In fact he’s waiting on us. God’s long-suffering (patience) is beyond 2,000 years. He longs to come to earth, to be with his bride. Like a husband waiting years for his wife to finally walk down the aisle and be at his side.
As the song quoted at the beginning says we are waiting with expectation (Click HERE to listen). This should be done in Joy and not sadness, in excitement for what God has planned. So as we go back to our lives at work, or at home, and everything in between, remember God’s promise. Let’s remember the love he shared by sending his Son, and the love he will share when he sends his son again.
Today’s Readings – Psalm 119:1-24, 12, 13, 14, Amos 3:12-4:5, 2 Peter 3:1-10, Matt 21:23-32
–Randy is a former camper. He moved to Buffalo to become a state-bound missionary with the Christian Ministry Eagles’ Wings.
(Image from SXC.HU free image exchange)
Amen. This made an impact on me. Thank you so much for sharing this message. It is beautifully written and honors the Lord. The powerful message of Christ and of waiting with joy for His return is so wonderfully written. What a blessing. I pray that the Lord will have you write another one.
As many focus on the events of today, and watching prophesy unfold before our very eyes, we watch in expectation of the Lord’s return (Look up for your redemption draws near). Our obedience is that the bride “makes herself ready for His return.” Since no one knows the day nor hour, we are absolutely sure He will only come when THE BRIDE HAS MADE HERSELF READY! It can not, and will not be until that has been done! Our prayer is that He finds us doing HIS plan for our life when HE comes for us! When we realize HOW MUCH HE did for us, and HOW MUCH HE loves us, we desperately RUN TOWARD HIM with all our heart, mind, body, soul and spirit,… 24/7…. to be in HIS everpresent NOW. Randy, God bless you son, as you continue to allow the Holy Spirit to shape you into the completed likeness of Jesus that the Father intended from the beginning. I love you. dad
A beautiful expression of the true meaning of Christmas and the Advent season. Thank you for sharing this, Randy.