One of the most helpful descriptions found in the scriptures is in 1 Corinthians 13, where the apostle Paul writes these words:
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,
even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Paul was writing about the tension that every Christian lives in every single day, the tension between the now and the not yet. Now we belong to Christ, but we are not yet made perfect. That is yet to come. That tension is at work all around us, every day. We see it when we struggle, and we see when we, by the grace of God, live obediently.
That tension also marks the advent season, especially in the final week. We’re almost there, but we’re not there. We’ve finished a great many things: shopping, wrapping, preparing, but it isn’t Christmas yet. Even in the church family we’ve done a great many things: the advent festival, Christmas caroling, and the Christmas joy service – but Christmas is still on the horizon.
Whenever I find myself “in between” (as I like to call it), I find that the best response is to spend more time in prayer. We can’t make time move faster. We can’t make people do things the way we want (not for lack of trying, mind you). We can only wait it out. What better way to wait out the remainder of the advent season than with a little more prayer!
None of us can say that we pray too much. We can all use more prayer. So, if you find yourself stuck feeling like we’re in between, spend a few extra moments in prayer. Pray for your loved ones, for those with special needs, those experiencing loss, for your church – there really is no shortage of things to pray for. And in this advent season, I think it critically important to pray
that we would understand more fully that miracle of Christmas.
Waiting,
Pastor John
