What are we waiting for these days? We can track our orders online. The book I ordered is on its way. I can see where it is each day as it makes its way to my office. What about our prayers? Is anyone else in God’s waiting room? Luke reminds us that God’s people must sometimes exercise patience as we expect his appearance.
What do you do while you wait? As an impatient patient, I often bring books with me to my physician’s office if I know I will have to wait. Reading makes time pass more quickly for me. We can read God’s word as we wait for him today. Let’s read it every day this year.
Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem. They obeyed, walking back into the city. By law, they were allowed to walk a certain distance on a Sabbath day. The Mount of Olives was within the allowed distance from the city. Returning to an upper room, the eleven apostles gathered with the women who supported Jesus and with his brothers and mother. For ten days they prayed together constantly.
Praying is a great way to invest our time. Henri Nouwen said we are not diminished by our waiting but enlarged. God is forming something in us while we wait. Jesus told his disciples to watch and pray. Likewise, Paul urged God’s people to pray without ceasing. Karl Barth said, “Prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of our world.” I am often conscious as I live the Christian life that others are praying for me. Honestly, sometimes, I can feel it. With Jesus’ disciples for the last two thousand years, we stand in the strength of our prayers. He is listening while we wait.
