“How long, O
Lord...how long?” Just like the Psalmist of old and many others before me, this
has been my complaint for some time. If I am honest
with myself, it drives me away from writing and sharing more quickly than
anything else. Although I may have used the mental busy-ness of studies
and family needs as a convenient excuse, deep down I find myself finally
admitting that the struggles of continued waiting on God has had far greater
impact.
More
recently, the compelling urge to write has surfaced again, and so, in the
post-Christmas down time, I find myself with time and energy to put fingers
back to keyboard. In the middle of all this, somewhat unsurprisingly, I also
found an answer to my own struggles that simultaneously met with my desire to
find some meaning in the over-commercialised "holiday" we call
Christmas.
As I
reflected on and reconnected with the birth of Christ during December, a few
things came together (as they often do), resulting in God speaking directly
into my heart.
The
book of Revelation ends with a promise from Jesus that He will return, that He
is coming soon. This Christmas, I was reminded again of how much of a parallel
this word has with the promises the Jews (and others) were waiting on some
2000+ years ago. The promise of a Saviour was embedded deeply in their faith,
and God's people often cried out to Him to send this Saviour to alleviate their
suffering, to bring in His Kingdom.
Today,
the promise of a Saviour is still relevant. Whether we are looking to Jesus’
ultimate return or simply for Him to ‘turn up’ in our present circumstances, to
fulfil promises either specific or general in our lives, we long for His
presence to be manifest with us and to see the in-breaking of His Kingdom in
our world. Maybe we would like Him to turn up and ‘fix’ our circumstances,
bring healing or blessings, or to ‘fix’ the world. Maybe we simply want to feel
or experience His presence with us. Or perhaps, like Simeon and Anna at the
temple, we are waiting to see the fulfilment of a promise or vision.
This
Christmas, I was reminded of two things. The first is that when Jesus first
came, it was in the fullness of time (see Galatians 4:4). He came then at
exactly the right time for His purposes, and when He brings His purposes into
our lives, again, it is at exactly the right time - not a moment too soon or
too late.
The
second is that, as I read my Bible and look around at both my own experiences
and those of others, I realise anew that Jesus has already come, He does come,
and He will come again. He is trustworthy, faithful and true. I can wait in the
full assurance that in His timing, He will come into all my circumstances and
He will bring His fulfilment of His vision and promises.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus!
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