How to Be Waiting

Waiting. New opportunities, promotions, changes of season—all can make us feel like life is in a holding pattern.

The people of Israel were in a state of waiting for centuries. They awaited political salvation from Roman domination. But they longed for spiritual salvation even more—for a word from their God, for the fulfilment of God’s promises to David, for a bridge across the chasm of sin separating them and their Creator.

The season of Advent helps us focus on waiting. Our children’s excitement grows as they count the days until Christmas. Their anticipation, their longing, can remind us how we should be while waiting for Christ’s triumphant return, for a face-to-face relationship with our God, for our eternal home.

At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for him to save the people of Israel. God’s Spirit came to him and told him that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:25–26 (CEV)

In Jerusalem a man named Simeon was waiting eagerly for the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior. Simeon’s life was so dedicated to God that he was able to hear from the Holy Spirit that God’s promise was soon to be fulfilled. When the Spirit guided him to the baby Jesus, he erupted in praise.

Just then another person came up. Anna, a prophetess, had been waiting on the Lord for decades (Luke 2:36–38). She was a widow and spent her days in the Temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. When she saw God’s Son, she also burst into praise and started talking about the baby to all the other people in the city who were waiting.

Simeon and Anna spent their waiting time in dedication to God. They believed his promises. They waited actively, like a “waiter” in a restaurant watching so they can respond to a customer’s every need. With trusting endurance, and apparently without complaint, they kept their eyes on the Lord and their hearts open to him.

Advent can be a season that helps us in our waiting, that trains us in preparation, patience, and joyful anticipation. As we wait for Christmas, and more as we wait for Christ, we too can fill our time with faith and worship of the Lord, opening our lives to his guidance so we don’t miss what he reveals.

We can also keep our eyes on God as we wait on better opportunities for our families, watching for what he would have us do here in the waiting room. Are there people we should encourage at this level, in this place, before opportunities arise? Can we strengthen our muscles of endurance and faith as we wait? Can we fill these repetitive days with praise?

And can we teach our kids to do the same?

PRAY

God, waiting can be so frustrating. Teach me to wait well. Keep my eyes on you, and fill these days with worship. Fill me with eager anticipation for your coming, and may my kids catch it too. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Questions: What’s exciting about today? Let’s thank God for it!

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Look up the following passages for today:

Isaiah 30:18

Romans 8:25