Introduction

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Acts 8: 18-25;

I watched a young lady in a restaurant a few years ago. She looked to be about eight or nine years old and well cared for. Her mother had ordered her meal and when it came she started screaming, “That is not what I want, why did you order it?” When her mother apologized, she began jumping up and down screaming even louder.

Well, you say, a child of mine would never act that way! (Or if you have grown children, you will know that you have had embarrassing moments as well and will have empathy for this mother.) How often are we like that child, overcome with what we want and the fact that we want it now!

The Apostle Paul writes to people who have waited for generations to no longer have hunger, to no longer be oppressed, to no longer worry about tomorrow. He reminds them, as he also reminds us, that when life is not giving us what we want, we must wait, God will redeem in God’s time, not our own.

Unlike the secular events of December, Advent requires us to prepare and to wait for the coming of Christmas—God coming into the world. As God’s world moves in uncertain directions, may we hope for what we do not see. May we wait for God’s presence with patience.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tim