Advent – Advent says ‘Be Patient!’
Powerpoint Pictures: Pedestrian Crossing; Car Journey; Child looking out of a window; Presents under Christmas Tree
Are you someone who is patient?
Do you do any of the following things: Push button at a pedestrian crossing to speed it up? Say the words ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ on a car journey? Look out the window for someone to come thinking that it will make them come quicker? Pick at the corners of your Christmas presents to see what you’ve been given?
We’ve seen that it is good to celebrate Advent because it helps us to celebrate Jesus saving us.
It reminds us of His first coming and how from the time of Adam and Eve and the promise of the serpent crusher, God’s people were waiting for Jesus to come and save His people.
It also helps us to remember that like them, we too are waiting. We are waiting for Jesus to come again and get rid of all sin, suffering, death and Satan once and for all and bring His people into a new creation.
But how do we wait?
We are to wait by being ready for His coming by trusting Jesus to save us and by following Him each day.
Another way we are to wait is by being patient.
We may want Jesus to come now, but there is a good reason why He hasn’t which is why we need to wait patiently. What is this good reason?
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with yo, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” (2 Peter 3:9-10)
The good reason is to give more time for people to repent and trust in Jesus. Because Jesus hasn’t returned yet, it must mean there are still people He wants to save. This should encourage us to tell our friends and family members the good news about Him.
Be Patient!
(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)