Are You Waiting Well? - by Meryl McKean

 

What are you like at waiting? I must confess I find it difficult. I’m sure I’m not alone. I can be impatient in the slow queue at the supermarket or tempted to look for a short cut to achieve a desired outcome.
I’m learning to wait, not just to wait but to wait well.

Being a writer can involve a lot of waiting, whether it is waiting for inspiration, waiting for life to slow down enough to find time to write, for health to improve or maybe we are waiting to hear from a publisher. Writing it seems is often a slow journey.

This season of advent is drawing to a close. It is a season of waiting, yet not the toe tapping, irritated kind of waiting but the joyful anticipation and build up to the birthday celebrations for Jesus. The hope is that we will be able to prepare our hearts and focus our minds as we take time to wait well.
The bible is full of waiting. The angel’s announcement to Zechariah regarding the miraculous birth of a son, John, ended a silent wait of over 400 years. God's timing is perfect but we often struggle with it.

Our church's theme for this year is 'Jesus - a promise fulfilled.' We are looking at the ways God fulfilled Old Testament prophecy through the Christmas narrative. I’d like to share a piece I’ve written for our Carols by Candlelight this coming Sunday.

Jesus – A Promise Fulfilled                                                                                           

Heaven on mute.
Words of promise.  
Spoken long ago by prophets.
About the Saviour, a virgin birth,
A voice crying out ‘Prepare’!
But nothing, not even a whisper.
In a world unaware, the Father waited,
The narrative was in His hands.
Into the long silence he sent his angel,
Speaking His Word.
The angels sang and hope was born.
Not to a princess,
But to a godly young woman.
Not in a palace to the favoured,
But in a stable among the animals,
With an unexpected cast.
God lifted the lowly
When Jesus was born.
At just the right time, never late.
Each perfect detail played out.
Defying expectations, many missed this precious moment,
But the shepherds didn’t.
They came, they saw, they worshiped.
 In that moment transformed.
This rescue plan stands complete
The Father’s love,
His life-giving words
Speak to us.
Let us come,
Look up,
And worship Jesus.

        ***

This little verse in struck me the other day from Isaiah 30 v 18 NLT

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.

Waiting is not just something we do, it is part of who God is. He waits for me, he waits for you. He does it so patiently and lovingly. He wants to bless us in our waiting. I wonder is there a step that God is waiting for you to take? No matter how difficult our wait, we can bring it to Him. The one who can enable us to wait well.

Bio

Meryl McKean loves writing devotionals and poems and has had a few articles published over the years as well as using her writing in her work. Recently she was encouraged being placed 3rd in an ACW competition. She wants her writing to be a tool which helps others draw closer to God. She is married to Andy and lives in Bedford where she loves exploring the countryside with her camera in hand. Her day job as a member of her church staff leadership team is full of challenges and opportunities.