Advent Together: Born To Return

Consider that thing for which you are waiting. The prayers, the hope, the tension between maintaining faith that one day it will come to pass versus simply giving up.

For us, it had been a job - for the last 6 months.

Today, an offer that my husband had long awaited – finally came through.

And, as excited as I am to receive this news. As grateful as we are to see God’s provision in this particular way, and hearing His “yes”. It dawned on me that it pales in comparison to Christ’s return.

Can you imagine? A world with no more pain? No more bombs? No more cancer? No more destruction? No threat of wars or assassinations or hatred or fear? No more struggling or striving or poverty or dThis past weekend I was in the wedding of a dear friend. While their story of love and God’s faithfulness is theirs to tell completely, I can share that chapters of this story involved a lot of waiting.

A lot of wondering.

A lot of hoping.

But, there were seasons of false hope, experiences of disappointment. Moments when it seemed as though the book was destined for a happy ending, only for the plot to thicken, with God saying “to be continued…”

But, this Saturday, people came from across the country to witness the culmination of this particular story, and the beginning of a new one.  The story filled with the waiting and praying, the hoping and anticipation, and permeated with suspense, ended in two people that God specifically knit together under unlikely circumstances at an unlikely time.

You know what well-crafted stories do when they end. The compel you to cheer for the hero that saves the day. Or, grieve for ones that don’t. But, they always leave you wanting more.

This story invoked a number of responses. There were tears – of joy, gratitude. There was laughter, peace. There was celebration. And there was relief. The day she, he…we had been waiting for – was finally here.

But, as excited as we were for their wedding day…

We are still “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” Titus 2:13

See, the current story in which we live involves dictators who kill their own people.

There are boys killing boys.

There are people who have to choose between eating or electricity or diapers.

There are bodies wrecked by incurable diseases.

Hearts broken.

Joy stolen.

In this stories, heroes sometimes die, while villains prosper.

And it leaves us crying out “How long, Lord?”

And we hear “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Waiting.

Watching.

Hoping.

Earth? A world where God is worshipped and peace and holiness reigns. A world absent of evil.

That.  That is worth waiting for – a blessed hope.

So, as you look towards the new year – perhaps making a list of resolutions, crafting prayers for things you hope to see, or simply selecting one word to use to guide you throughout the year – remember to “fix your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

And as we wait, we cry out, “Come Lord Jesus – Come!”