09
Dec
I don’t mind waiting, if I’m not in a hurry. But if a delay causes distress, I look for a workaround for what’s slowing things down.
However, patience is at work in me when I’m willing to wait for what God has for me.
As I put His timetable over my understanding, willful waiting becomes worship. It sacrifices the insistence to have my way on the altar of His will.
Otherwise, a sense of entitlement takes over and talks me into hurry and worry.
The Christmas story shows us the difference.
As Mary and Joseph waited for their sacred bundle to arrive, they were the first to see the Savior. (Luke 2:1-7)
As three magi traveled from afar, they followed a star leading them to baby Jesus. When they arrived they worshiped Him.
But one person couldn’t care less about God’s timing. (Matthew 2:1-15)
King Herod waited for the magi to report baby Jesus’s location. But after the magi went home without revealing one detail, Herod issued an order to kill all the male infants.
He still missed Jesus. God warned Joseph in a dream and the newly formed family fled to Egypt.
What are you waiting for this Christmas?
I don’t want to miss the opportunity to see what God has in mind. As we willingly wait for Him, He prepares us to see His glory.
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4 NKJV)
To read more posts in “The Fruit of the Spirit in Christmas” series go here.
Lucille
When God is at work, there is always an adversary and in the Christmas story it is indeed King Herod. He had all children, male and female, two years old and under killed because he was so jealous of he who would be born King of the Jews. So glad that when the magi arrived and Jesus was a toddler by then, they had presence of mind to detect Herod’s evil intentions and returned home another way.
Joy
Hi Lucille! Yes, God’s work is constantly opposed by the forces of darkness. Although the King James version of the Matthew 2 passage says “all” the children, several other translations state it was only the males under 2 years old.
Like you, I praise God for leading Jesus and His family into safety. God’s purposes are always fulfilled. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!