Waiting

For Chris & Debbie Rumsey, the waiting is over - Leah Alexandra was born yesterday, by C section - and they are overjoyed! Chris describes himself as 'going to be an emotional wreck for some time!'

But others families are still waiting for their baby to arrive.

Our culture does not like waiting - instant gratification is what many have been used to. Hence, the appeal of the credit card, which means i can buy what I want whether I can afford it or not. As we can now see, there is a price tag to that approach to life.

Among the last words of Jesus to his followers was a clear statement about the need to wait. ' On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 1.4-5)

As we shall learn, immediately after Jesus ascended to heaven - tomorrow is Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, and 10 before Pentecost - the disciples had 10 days of waiting. That time was well spent, as Luke tells us.

In our rushed and frantic lives, we all need to have times when we stop, and wait patiently for the Lord, as the Psalmist says. 

Peggy Douglas mentioned these words on Sunday, as she recounted how the Lord had encouraged her to read the Bible regularly. 'I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40.1-3)

This sort of experience is the gift of the Lord to those who learn to wait patiently, as opposed to those who wait impatiently, demanding action and attention. Such will never be truly satisfied.

Best wishes, 

Richard