As we await the return of our Savior, Jesus, we wonder how long it will be. Will He return to judge the world during my lifetime? Will I have to wait to actually meet him when I go to heaven? The Advent season is filled with stories of waiting. We look forward to Christmas and remember all the promises of God being fulfilled in this one amazing event. Why is it so hard to wait?

When I think about the characters in the Christmas story, the shepherds come to mind. As they waited for centuries for the fulfillment of God’s promised Messiah, they eventually must’ve lost hope. The Old Testament is filled with events and people who hung in there, waiting for the Messiah. To them it must have seemed like an eternity. When we think of our own existence, having heard about Jesus’ birth and the many years that followed His ascension into heaven, we are much like those people of old who waited.

When we see a new life come into the world, filled with hope for the future and anticipation as to what will become of that child as he grows into adulthood? When we grow old and look back on our lives, we may wonder what made our life worth living? We wonder why it must go on and on and on. When illnesses prevail, we wonder too. When will they end? When will I get to see Jesus?

Psalm 25:5 ESV “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”

Jesus is with us today, even though we can’t see Him. He is present in every aspect of our lives. Waiting is hard, but He is walking right alongside each of us, because He knows that the waiting is worth it.

“WAITING FOR JESUS” by KATHY BOECHER

You came to a world filled with darkness and sin.

You loved us devoutly without and within.

Your love conquered all through a child meek and small,

Sweet Jesus, Your Son came and died for us all.

You took away sadness and filled us with peace,

You give us a hope that defies life’s surcease.

You gave Your life for us so we could be free.

Sweet Jesus, Your blood you did shed on the tree.

Your body lay lifeless, but rose on that day,

To show us that our sins you carried away.

So now we look forward to that special time

Sweet Jesus to join you in heaven sublime.

We know you’ll return to carry us home,

To empty the darkness of this world that we roam.

Be with us forever and love us each day,

Sweet Jesus, we love you, come quickly we pray.