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02-02-2008, 03:17 AM
Meditation
Luke 2:22-40
Readings
Presentation of the Lord
I’m waiting, Lord! When are you going to heal my arthritis, get my son going to church, remind the pastor I could use a small pat on the back? That’s all part of your plan, right? Healing the sick, bringing back the stray, encouraging those who labor in the vineyard?
Yes, Lord, I know that Simeon and Anna were waiting, too. I’ll bet they couldn’t even describe what they were waiting for. Anna talked of the kingdom to anyone who hadn’t grown tired of listening, but if she used language like Malachi’s—“messenger of the covenant,” “refiner’s fire,” “fuller’s soap”—it was probably too obscure for anyone to grasp.
I’m sure that Simeon and Anna heard rumors of other would-be messiahs amassing armies to defy the Romans. But they knew the promises these “saviors” made weren’t in line with your promise. So they kept on waiting. Is that what you’re asking of me as well? To keep on waiting until your timing is just right?
I guess I can see how it became less important for Simeon and Anna to be waiting for a specific sign or event as opposed to waiting on you, trusting you, and being united with your heart. After all, how could they have possibly anticipated the amazing reality of the Incarnation? But it didn’t matter. When you came into the Temple as an unpretentious baby, that was enough for them. You had arrived, and they could “depart in peace” and leave you to work out the details.
Jesus, you reveal particulars of the future to only a few people, but you do promise all of us that we will see your salvation day by day. I can see now how if I wake up expecting good news from the doctor, the return of an estranged loved one, and a winning lottery ticket all in the same day, I’m likely to be disappointed. But if I pray expectantly to recognize you in the circumstances of this day, my comings and goings will be marked with peace. I may even catch a glimpse of the part you want me to play today in the drama of salvation.
“Help me, Lord, to wait on you. Help me to let go of my preconceptions of what I feel you must do. I simply lift the gates and invite you to come in.”
Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18
Online Christian Devotion
Luke 2:22-40
Readings
Presentation of the Lord
I’m waiting, Lord! When are you going to heal my arthritis, get my son going to church, remind the pastor I could use a small pat on the back? That’s all part of your plan, right? Healing the sick, bringing back the stray, encouraging those who labor in the vineyard?
Yes, Lord, I know that Simeon and Anna were waiting, too. I’ll bet they couldn’t even describe what they were waiting for. Anna talked of the kingdom to anyone who hadn’t grown tired of listening, but if she used language like Malachi’s—“messenger of the covenant,” “refiner’s fire,” “fuller’s soap”—it was probably too obscure for anyone to grasp.
I’m sure that Simeon and Anna heard rumors of other would-be messiahs amassing armies to defy the Romans. But they knew the promises these “saviors” made weren’t in line with your promise. So they kept on waiting. Is that what you’re asking of me as well? To keep on waiting until your timing is just right?
I guess I can see how it became less important for Simeon and Anna to be waiting for a specific sign or event as opposed to waiting on you, trusting you, and being united with your heart. After all, how could they have possibly anticipated the amazing reality of the Incarnation? But it didn’t matter. When you came into the Temple as an unpretentious baby, that was enough for them. You had arrived, and they could “depart in peace” and leave you to work out the details.
Jesus, you reveal particulars of the future to only a few people, but you do promise all of us that we will see your salvation day by day. I can see now how if I wake up expecting good news from the doctor, the return of an estranged loved one, and a winning lottery ticket all in the same day, I’m likely to be disappointed. But if I pray expectantly to recognize you in the circumstances of this day, my comings and goings will be marked with peace. I may even catch a glimpse of the part you want me to play today in the drama of salvation.
“Help me, Lord, to wait on you. Help me to let go of my preconceptions of what I feel you must do. I simply lift the gates and invite you to come in.”
Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18
Online Christian Devotion