Day 5: Worth the Wait

Wait. Just wait. (Sigh.) There is something about trying to go along in our days when we are waiting for an event that is completely out of our control. If only something could be done. If only we can work to make it happen...build an ark or something...perhaps the waiting would be tolerable.

But so many times...we are just told to...wait.

If you are a child when you read this, you will not be able to understand. But becoming a parent is one of the greatest gifts in all of creation. Often it is just expected. A man and woman get married and they have a child. Like a glorious sunrise or the start of spring. Expected blessings. But with Abram and Sarai, it didn’t happen and Abraham found himself away from his family, away from his land, wandering and growing old with nothing more than an aging wife. Waiting.

But what made their childlessness harder was the fact that it had been promised.

“I will make you into a great nation,

   and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

   and you will be a blessing.[a]

3 I will bless those who bless you,

   and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

   will be blessed through you.”

At times, Abraham believed with all his heart. He was excited and committed. At other points he doubted. He questioned. He even laughed. But his spark of faith remained, the promise was fulfilled, and when he cradled his newborn son in his aging arms, you can believe that Abraham rejoiced. It was worth the wait.  

We too are on a journey to a promise. The promise of Salvation...the Blessing of Abraham’s son spoken of in Genesis 12 was fulfilled in another baby. The Christ Child. And that Salvation is yours. mine. And all we have to do is leave everything, like Abraham and follow the Light. And wait.

It is exciting. The most exciting thing to ever happen to you on this earth. And you will feel that. You will feel committed. Determined. But at other times, do not be surprised if you find yourself doubting as Abraham did. You may question or even laugh. But remember God’s strong hands that covers your spark. He will not let it be extinguished by your weakness. And you can believe that when the Promise is fulfilled...when your faith is complete, you will rejoice. And it will certainly be...worth the wait.