WAITING.....LONGING FOR LIGHT

                                           

                                        I encourage you to listen to this entire song.

Waiting.   You and I live in a society that dislikes waiting…waiting in line, waiting for the light to turn green, waiting for ‘my turn’, waiting for the weekend, waiting for some results, or an answered prayer. Just waiting for more, and as the waiting continues we may tend to grow impatient.  Sound familiar?

During one childhood summer, as we travelled by bus to our destination, the camp counselor would lead us in song so we wouldn’t grow impatient while waiting to arrive.  Moving forward, last week  a man ushered me, with my 3 items, to move ahead of him in a grocery story line.  He doesn’t like waiting in line and thought he’d offer me this kindness.

Okay... let’s enlarge our scope from waiting for immediate desires, to waiting in fear and uncertainty, waiting amidst the devastation of tornados, floods, or loss, waiting in darkness;  looking for hope. Any of this sound familiar and/or depressing?  News reports, natural disasters and the chapters of one’s life has and will usher many people through these dark passages.  

Please don’t turn away.  I ask you to wait with me and read on.

One night earlier this winter, while working at a local shelter, a homeless couple asked me if I would pray for them.  Two single people, who had met while homeless, each working, holding onto hope for a better future.  Waiting in the midst of their uncertainty and the ruins of their past circumstances. Determined not to let their despair define their future, they sought to hold unto this Light they still saw in the midst of their darkness. They come to mind now as I reflect on what it means to wait….to not let go of hope…..to know even when we don’t see Light, it is still present. 

During the Passover Meal, as Jesus commanded his disciples to share the bread and wine, always, and in remembrance of him, he knew what was about to take place. Jesus knew he would be crucified. He knew he would be taking on all of our sins, all the ways we deny God’s commandments in our lives. He knew at that time no one understood. And he knew he would have to wait through the ridicule and torture thrust upon him.  Lastly, he knew the disciples and women would be waiting for something to come afterwards.  Longing for hope, lost in despair.

The God who formed you and I in the beginning, who still cries, angers, laughs.. and who died for us…..IS HERE.  No More Waiting Without hope. No More Waiting Without Light. 

As you remember Jesus' Crucifixion on this Good Friday, I pray you can sense this Deep and Eternal Love God holds for You. As you Wait for the Easter Vigil and Christ's Resurrection, I pray you will know through all the daily chapters of your life, God is ever-present for You  God’s Love and Light is and will remain alive in all the seasons of your waiting.

Amen.

Susan