The Waiting is Over

The waiting is over! I am reveling in the unspeakable joy of having witnessed the birth of my third son, Josiah Lee. He came eight days late, according to our calendars, but right on time according to God’s. Those of you who may have spoken to me about this over the last couple of weeks probably heard me use the word imminent to describe his appearing. I learned through ordination that this is also a good word to describe the return of our Lord. It means “threatening to occur at any moment”. His return will be awesome and awful at the same time. Probably the way birth could be described by the one experiencing it.

Such a sense of tremendous anticipation had consumed the lives of our family over the last week it was almost crippling. Almost. We used all that excitement to continue to make ready our home and our hearts to welcome our newest blessing. During some quiet time on Tuesday of last week I was convicted that I need to live with the same sense of anticipation with regard to the return of my Lord. An almost crippling anticipation that leaves me preoccupied yet busily making preparations. We are waiting for Him, actively waiting.

I firmly believe the Lord wants to reveal things about Himself, His purposes and His ways all the time. I believe He uses prayer, the Bible, circumstances and the church to reveal Who He is and what He is doing. I am convinced He wants to do this through the mundane as well as the momentous occasions in our lives. Even today. Jesus wants to show you something about Himself that will inform your living. Open your eyes to see it. Then simply respond with sincere faith as an act of worship glorifying Him. What will God show you today? What will He show us Sunday?

Having celebrated His ascension, should make us all the more ready to remember the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost which Jesus promised in His last words to His disciples. Ten days after His ascension, as the disciples were gathered in an upper room, the gift of the Spirit came upon them. They reveled in the unspeakable joy of the promise fulfilled, and the power given to be witnesses for Jesus. But have you ever wondered what day nine must have been like? Waiting. Actively waiting, for as the Scriptures declare, “they all meet together continually for prayer.” (Acts 1:14) Can you imagine the sense of anticipation that must have filled their souls? Even so, it was not equal to the joy ushered in by the coming of the Spirit.

We are in desperate need of the power from on high, the only way to maintain intimate fellowship with God. Power from on high, to be witnesses here, there, and everywhere. Power from on high, to get it done, to complete the assigned task, to complete the mission. Power from on high, for the glory of God, and the good of all people. Let us wait, until we have received the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott