Worth the Wait

In this season of transition, I'll admit to being a bit gun-shy. If 2020 taught me any lesson, it was that anything can happen and we're not as in control of our lives as we may think. I feel like I need to brace-for-impact; something is right around the corner and who knows if it will pack a punch.

God's been whispering, "Joyful expectation." Joyful expectation? Isn't that a bit naïve? Isn't it a bit simple to be expecting good things, sunshine and rainbows, after the year we've had?

I'm working on it.

The Bible has several examples of times when God's people had joyful expectation. The birth of a promised child, a bride waiting for her bridegroom, the coming Messiah, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Joyful expectation lifts our eyes away from the mess we're in, to the horizon. It sees a light dawning, despite how dark the night has been.

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If I will embrace this joyful expectation, this rejoicing in the midst of trial, I will experience peace that surpasses understanding. Now, that's something worth waiting for.

Volunteer Peace-Makers

I was talking with a group of young ladies tonight about the high bar that Paul sets for Christian unity. We are studying Philippians together and the message of sacrificial unity is clear and unapologetic.

Philippians 2:1-2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Churches are made up of people from different walks of life. The early church, like the modern church, dealt with issues of division, differences of opinion and world views. Paul didn't let them off the hook, nor are we let off the hook today.

Our small group has spoken over the weeks about how it feels to be judged and maligned, and how they as a generation want to do a better job of showing grace. They deeply feel the injustice of being labeled "unacceptable" by those further along the path of faith. The understandable, but unfortunate result of that hurt is distrust and resentment for those they feel have rejected them.

When asked how they, like the Philippian church, can overcome divisions of class, culture, and offense, they've said, "I won't be the first to apologize. Them first." To initiate a resolution is to put yourself in harm's way; to be vulnerable to attack and further rejection.

Like the girls, we often desire to do better, but choose instead to hold onto grudges, further entrenching ourselves in division. If reconciliation is left to "them first," how can anything change? How do we climb out of the trenches we've dug? Who will volunteer to put themselves in the crosshairs, in order to broker a cease-fire?

Philippians 2:5-8

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God

something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-

even death on a cross!

If we are going to rise to the challenge that Paul gave the Philippian church, we have to take a posture of radical humility. We must allow God to use us as bridge builders; to be willing to face rejection, to be the one to cross the aisle and extend an olive branch. The Spirit of God is looking for peace-makers. Instead of "them first," will you volunteer?

A Hard Bargain

I recently made contact with a former student. I have a soft spot for him and his family. Since first working with him 4 years ago, they have been through a lot of hardship, including losing his brother to gun violence last Spring. I'm grateful to be able to check on him and send little encouragements his way.

The great part about working in social services is having the privilege of walking with people through life's storms. This year that I've been away, I've gotten a break from helping others tread water. Honestly, with all that happened in 2020, I don't know how I could have kept it up. But that calling to stand with the oppressed, to encourage the disheartened, is still there.

While I've been away, tending to my heart and my own family, the people who are down keep taking hits. The work of God's people isn't done. There are plenty more rescue missions ahead. I find myself whispering prayers that I might get back at it soon. I want to strike a deal with God and get back in the game.

Isaiah 61:1-3a

1The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

These verses were fulfilled in Jesus, but he calls us to join Him in the work. Sometimes His plan and timing don't align with mine, or it's unclear as to how and when to begin again. It feels like my experience and skills are going to waste while I'm sitting at home, waiting. I wonder when my time on the sidelines will be up. I try to bargain; "Is one year enough?" I know if my heart is open, He'll reveal the right path for me here. There's no lack of need all around me; sooner or later I may even get more than I bargained for.