Waiting by Hannah Griffith

Waiting is one of my favorite subjects to talk about, so when the Young Adult Ministry approached me about sharing for the Advent season, I was so excited, but as I began to prayerfully consider what to share I realized this would be a challenge. The challenge isn’t in what to share, but rather the timing of sharing. Oftentimes it’s easier to share wisdom and testimony once you are through the season and have come out on the other side. In the same way that single people don’t normally share marriage advice, medical students don’t typically stand-in for doctors in operating rooms, and high schoolers couldn’t speak to the college experience, how can I share my experiences on waiting while I am in fact still waiting? The fact of the matter is we are all waiting for something in our lives and learning as we go. There’s no How to Wait with God roadmap, which makes the waiting both frustrating and beautiful. As I write this on the first Sunday of Advent, we are only just beginning the journey of waiting; a journey of reflection and renewal. I feel as though I have so much to learn in this new season, especially after Father Wilson’s homily today. Perhaps you should check back with me after Christmas? Kidding!

In my life, I reflect on my singleness and wait on the Lord for a relationship. At 24 I have never been in a dating relationship. This may sound odd to some, but I share this with you with pride in my heart and passionate hope in our God. As a Christian there are some parts of your life you not only know you must surrender to God, but do truly desire to surrender completely to Him. For me, dating is one and I wouldn’t trade even a moment. In a society of instant gratification, we can get caught up in making things happen for ourselves, on our terms, in our timing. When expecting a package, we not only expect and often pay for expedited shipping, but must have a tracking number so we can monitor the package’s journey right up until it arrives at our doorstep. Throughout the Bible, we read of God’s admiration for child-like faith. Luke 18:17 reads, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” This is only one of his many reminders to us to embrace child-like faith even as adults. At the core of the Advent and Christmas season is Hope, and what earlier lesson of hope than that of our childhood belief in Santa Claus? Have you ever thought about this? As children we actually had very little control over Santa Claus. We couldn’t guarantee what time of night our gifts would arrive or what exactly he would bring us…he even insisted on only coming when we were asleep! But our lack of control never diminished our belief. As children, we still did our very best throughout the year to make it on the nice list, dropped off our wish lists to the Macy’s mailbox, and waited anxiously and expectantly on Christmas Eve for his arrival. How can we wait as children do? This is a question I’m asking myself this Advent season. Does your lack of control in life diminish your faith in God?

One of my favorite words is “Meanwhile.” A bit of a longer story, but in a nutshell this comes from the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz. What many see as a Biblical love story is really, at its core, a story of patience. Ruth 3:18-4:1 says, “Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man [Boaz] will not rest until the matter is settled today. Meanwhile…” The next passage in Scripture (Ruth 4) says “Ruth and Boaz Get Married.” You might say “that was quick,” and it may seem that way because we were not let in on the behind the scenes! The bible tells us what Boaz did in the “meanwhile,” but what about Ruth? What did Ruth do in the waiting? Surely Ruth questioned God’s timing, had moments of frustration, and wondered where the hand of God was in moments he seemed silent and seemingly distant. How often do we question God’s timing? How often do we blame God for causing our impatience? So many of us think God has forgotten about us and our desires. I do hope this encourages you today the way it has encouraged me. There is a song that has always lifted me out of moments of disappointed or discouragement – Speak by Bethany Worship.

The lyrics:
Found in surrender
My heart is fully yours
Caught in the moment
Captivated by the unseen
Your loving heart for me revealed

Friends, I pray that you be captivated by the unseen this Advent season. Let God in on those parts of your life that you hold so tightly in your own control. Surrender it to him and allow yourself to wait in confident expectation for that blessing and breakthrough. He will deliver in his time. Until then, please know I am praying alongside you. Wishing you and yours a happy Advent season and a Merry Christmas!