Waiting is hard. And perhaps even more so when we cannot predict or control the timing of what we’re waiting for. But maybe this is by design. We must learn to trust God when a moment is certain but its timing remains hidden. And such waiting deepens our intimacy with him.
For instance, while we can generally know when a birth is going to take place, its exact timing is outside of our control. Parents can watch the signs and make predictions, yet the moment comes in its own time. And the same is true at the end of life. We might clearly see when the death of a loved one draws near, but again we must wait not knowing the exact hour their passing will occur.
Jesus describes his second coming in similar ways – telling us that while signs will be present, only the Father knows the day or hour when these things will happen. And so we must watch and be ready.
Whatever it looks like, our temptation is either to try to forget we’re waiting or to take matters into our own hands. But we grow in faith by surrendering control and trusting in God’s wisdom. We keep our eyes on him instead of trusting our own efforts. And we invite Immanuel to be with us in the ache of our waiting. He waits with us because he too is waiting for what only the Father knows.
The ache, anticipation, and mystery remain, but the Spirit comforts and gives us peace in the waiting. Our God is in control and he is always right on time.
In the end, no one knows the hour, but you can choose how you wait. Let your waiting draw you closer to God as you deepen your trust in him.
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