“Waiting”

SCRIPTURE

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be, waiting for the coming day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. - 2 Peter 3:11-13

REFLECTION

We’re about mid-way through Advent now. Here we are, in our season of preparation and of waiting. If you’re like our home, you had your holiday decorations up weeks ago, and most if not all of the “preparations” are done. So now, we wait.

While we wait, what are we doing? Who are we being? As it says today in 2 Peter, as we wait for the coming day of God, what sort of persons ought we to be?

This is, of course, a question we ask of ourselves every day in every season, not just in Advent or in Lent when we perhaps place a bit more emphasis on self-reflection. When God comes, 2 Peter reads, everything will be set ablaze and dissolved. Everything we once knew, all that was once familiar, will melt away. A new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home, will take their place. That’s not such a bad apocalypse, is it?

I don’t think I’m alone when I suggest the idea that these are precisely the kind of days we’re living through right now. All that was once comfortable and familiar back in March is now gone and we’re waiting: for a vaccine, for everything to be truly safe in order for us to get back out into the world as we once did and truly enjoy the world and one another. We’re in a holding pattern, and we’ve got a bit more time left yet to go.

While we wait, what sort of persons are we being? Are we being people of patience, empathy, kindness, and compassion? Or, are we being divisive, combative, stubborn, impatient, and self-centered? Who and what we are now will be what we bring with us when things get better and we can get back to some semblance of living again. This time of waiting is critically important to the times yet to come.

What sort of persons ought we to be?

PRAYER

Loving God, as we wait, guide us in being the people that you create and call us to be.

Amen.

Peace,

Shawn