In Our Anticipation
“In our anticipation, O Lord, teach us to wait with patience and expectation.”
Psalm 37:7a (ESV)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
Waiting can be one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines. We want answers, solutions, and resolutions quickly. The modern pace of life conditions us to expect immediate gratification, whether through the tap of a smartphone screen or the click of a mouse. We've become accustomed to having our needs and desires met with lightning speed, often forgetting that the rhythms of the Christian life frequently require a peaceful pause and a quiet trust in God's perfect timing.
The season of Advent calls us to a posture of patient waiting and hopeful expectation. As we anticipate the arrival of Christ, may we learn to wait well. The prophet Isaiah reminds us, "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). In waiting, our souls are strengthened, our perspectives are broadened, and our faith is deepened. Far from being a passive or unproductive posture, waiting with patience and expectation requires an active engagement of the mind and heart.
Advent is a sacred invitation to slow down, quiet our restless souls, and savor the anticipation of Christ's coming. It is a time to reflect on our need for a Savior and meditate on the transformative power of God's promises. During this season, we are called to pause amidst the frantic pace of holiday preparations and year-end deadlines, creating space to draw near to God and to prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Messiah.
We must vigilantly guard against the temptation to fill the void of waiting with distractions or diversions. It's easy to turn to social media, binge-watching, or mindless entertainment to cope with delayed discomfort. But these temporary fixes only numb us, preventing us from engaging in the more profound work that transformation requires. Instead, we are invited to cultivate a spirit of prayerful attentiveness, eagerly watching for the first glimmers of dawn, the first stirrings of the Messiah's approach.
Like the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks on that first Christmas night, may we be ready to respond with wonder and worship when the angels announce, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14). May we resist the urge to rush past the season of Advent, recognizing it as a sacred time of preparation, reflection, and hopeful expectation. For it is in the waiting that our souls are nourished, our faith is strengthened, and our longing for the Savior's arrival is kindled anew.
Ultimately, Advent urges us to trust in God's perfect timing, to find contentment in the present moment, and to orient our hearts toward the eternal hope that Christ's coming promises. As we actively wait, may we be sustained by the knowledge that our strength will be renewed, that we will "run and not be weary, [we] shall walk and not faint." For the One who calls us to wait is the same One who will faithfully bring about the fulfillment of all His promises.
Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:
Psalm 37:7a (ESV)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
What areas of your life require you to trust in God's perfect timing? What would it look like to “wait well”?