What are we waiting for? Sometimes I feel like a true foreigner in my homeland. Yes, I am a cross cultural person, but it is much more than that. There are stark differences of opinion in the world these days. Many who were once close friends, or even family, find it difficult to communicate with each other because of the differences. It is the proverbial elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. There is tension attempting to navigate life in once familiar spaces because of fears of many kinds. Not all of it relational by far.
In this setting, the world is still turning, God’s mercies are still new every morning, and we find ourselves in December. Another year about to slip away and here we are in Advent, waiting. What are we waiting for? Isaiah 9:6 tells us what, or rather who, we need.
“A child has been born for us; a son has been given to us.
The responsibility of complete dominion will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be:
The Wonderful One!
The Extraordinary Strategist!
The Mighty God!
The Father of Eternity!
The Prince of Peace!”
This one has already come as a baby, born humbly in a manger, over two thousand years ago. The author of Hebrews summarizes what happened when he came.
Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took his seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One.”
Please read it again.
This is who we are waiting for. Not only are His mercies new every morning, but Jesus Christ of Nazareth is still on the throne. He is still all of the things that these verses attribute to Him.
With all that being true, why do we let the noise of the world pull us apart? Why do we fear. . . anything? Too often I personally allow “noise,” of too many kinds, to distract me, so I take my attention off the One who really matters. The first chapter of Hebrews continues by exalting the excellencies of the Son as better than angels. Then chapter two delivers the remedy to our fears.
“This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course.” 2:1 TPT “For you [God the Father] have placed everything under his authority. This means that God has left nothing outside the control of his Son, even if presently we have yet to see this accomplished.” v8
Today, in this first week of Advent, waiting for the celebration of the arrival of the God/Child, let’s remember that He is now, still, and always, in control with everything under His authority. His character is based on love, His Holy Spirit is inside of all who follow Jesus, and we have unlimited access to that love. We are all learning how to grow in that love.
“18 Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection. 19 Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.” 1 John 4
Abba, I know I am too easily distracted from You and Your love. Your love for me and for those around me. I want to become secure in knowing that your power is always entwined with your love. What are we waiting for? I am waiting to be confident in your love, so that I may see all that you will accomplish in my lifetime and beyond. May I not be distracted from Jesus, though He came as a baby, now and eternally He sits at Your right hand. My prince of peace. Amen
