Being faithful in the unhurried pace of God

The fast pace of our world fuels our impatience. Internet browsing tells us that whatever we long for, we can have it quickly. One click to purchase. Two-day delivery.  Download this content immediately. Use this regimen or take this pill for quick weight loss! Moisturize with this lotion and overnight, have less wrinkles!  

Fast food. 

Fast driving.  

Even faster internet speed. 

Hurry is the pace and if you’re inconvenienced by waiting, it’s too slow.  

At the beginning of the Advent season, I’m reminded that God isn’t in a hurry and the people of God willingly wait on Him.  They wait expectantly and with hope in the promise of the coming Messiah.  Even when they are given a glimpse of the Messiah’s arrival, there is still a time of waiting.  

Waiting with skepticism

Elizabeth waited for her son, John. From her story in Luke 1, we learn she was barren through the many years that conception would have been ideal.  She and Zechariah were beyond the years of starting a family.  All those years waiting, I anticipate she had given up the hope of carrying a baby in her womb.  But one day, while serving in the temple, a messenger from God declares to Zechariah that his prayer has been heard and the aging couple will give birth to a son. They are to name him John.  

I’m not convinced the messenger is responding to what Zechariah was praying for in that moment in the temple. He doesn’t receive this good news with celebration. Instead, he immediately questions how this could even be possible! Most likely, this message is an answer to prayers that were the cry of their hearts from years before. In the time of waiting, this news isn’t received with welcome but with skepticism. 

Waiting with worry

Zechariah is made mute by his unbelief. He returns home from the temple and just as was promised,  Elizabeth conceives. A fresh seed of hope is planted in their hearts.  Luke 1:24 says that she kept herself hidden for five months. No announcement. No one to observe her changing body.  She is waiting again. In this secret-keeping, I wonder about Elizabeth’s story on her journey to become a mother.  Had she conceived before and knew the pain of loss through miscarriage? Was she worried that her advanced age would prevent her from carrying the baby to term?  Had she been in a similar position before only to face grief and loss?  

I resonate with this idea of “holding back” while you are waiting.  I endured two miscarriages before becoming pregnant with my oldest daughter.  It was good news to be pregnant but doubt, fear and worry came with it. Daily, I practiced surrendering to God while I waited for our baby to grow stronger. I was holding onto promises that He had spoken to me for a family. But, I couldn’t control the outcome. I could only wait and trust in Him each day.  I  imagine this is how Elizabeth endured those five months as well.  Waiting for her belly to protrude big enough to show a healthy growing baby. Holding the quiet promise of the Lord in her heart before there was visible evidence to show His faithfulness.

Waiting with hopeful curiosity

Another mother gets to join this season of waiting at the same time: Mary.  Mary is the opposite of Elizabeth.  She’s young and her body is ready for childbearing.  BUT,  she isn’t married yet.  She’s engaged to Joseph.  Her unexpected encounter with the messenger of God is a greeting full of love from God: 

Good morning!

You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,

Beautiful inside and out!

God be with you.  Luke 1:28 (message)

Mary hears the news that she will become pregnant with Jesus and He will be the King they have been waiting for.  Her response isn’t skepticism but curiosity: how will this be possible?  The angel explains that the baby will be conceived by the Holy Spirit.  As evidence that this is possible, he tells her of another impossible story.  Her cousin, Elizabeth, who has been unable to conceive, is now six months pregnant! All doubt aside, Mary receives this promise, “let it be to me as you say.” 

Waiting with someone who loves you

Mary hurries off to confirm that what the angel has said is true and finds her cousin, Elizabeth IS carrying a baby.  And before she can make her own pregnancy announcement, Elizabeth begins rejoicing that Mary is carrying the Savior of the world. I would have loved to witness this reunion between two women carrying a different promise from God in their heart and in their wombs.  They would both have births that would change the course of the world. Each son would arrive into the world with a unique purpose from a specific promise.  Women who love one another deeply are able to celebrate the unique promises that God is speaking into their lives. 

Luke 1:56 says that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then returned home.  I wonder about the conversations that happened between these mothers during that time.  Were they giddy with excitement?  Did they share their hopes and fears for their sons and the calling that each of them had? Did they work side by side, encouraging one another in their unique circumstances? I’m doing the math and Elizabeth would have been around nine months at the time Mary returned home.  Did Mary get to stay long enough to support Elizabeth during John’s birth and rejoice with her cousin that the waiting was over?

Where are you waiting?

God moves at a pace that isn’t like ours.  He is unhurried and purposeful with all that He brings into our lives.  And we struggle to wait on Him.  As I sit in wonder of the birth of Jesus, I find myself waiting too. 

Waiting for prayers to be answered that have been ongoing through the years.  

Waiting for evidence of good fruit from my life as I invest in my daughters and the young women in my community. 

Waiting with hope for the restoration of broken relationships. 

Waiting for breakthroughs.

You’re likely waiting too. I’m with you, friend. You’re not alone. He hasn’t forgotten your prayers or the dreams you carry in your heart.  May this season of advent increase your hope in Him. The waiting can feel long but He is faithful and worth waiting on!