I'm writing this post on "waiting" on the eve of my due date with Cora. This is the strangest thing for me since both the boys were a week early in their arrivals! I recognize that due dates are approximations as to when a baby will actually arrive, but I've thought this whole time that she would come early since she is my 3rd and since I gave birth only 18 months ago to Cole...my body is ready so I thought it'd happen sooner, but here we are in a holding pattern. After visiting my midwife this morning, I found that my body has not made any further progress from my appointment last week, but she could still come at anytime! In leaving the hospital, I made another appointment for next Monday, hoping she'll come this week and I won't have to go! I've never been pregnant this long and now I actually have time to reflect on what it means to wait.
When I searched www.biblegateway.com for scripture that contained the word "wait," there were many passages that struck deep cords in my heart. Especially those that speak to us about Christ's second coming since we're going through a series at our church right now on that topic. What does it mean to be patient, to wait well for something incredible we know is definitely coming? Like a mother before the birth of her baby and like a follower of Christ as we wait for Him to return...we wait. We don't wait however like those without hope. We know these events (a baby's birth, Christ's return for His church) will certainly happen...we're just not sure when and so what does it mean to wait well in the mean time? Thankfully, God is complete in the way He gives answers! His Word is filled with messages of hope as He knew in writing it, that we (His people) would need encouragement in our time of waiting! The following scripture show us how to wait until Christ returns...
Titus 2:12-14
It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
same passage...Titus 2:11-14 (from the Message paraphrased by Eugene Peterson)
God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness
Hebrews 9:27-28 (from the Message also)
Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ's death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.
Even as I wait eagerly for the birth of my daughter, I cannot help but think of the most beautiful and rewarding "arrival" we will ever experience...the returning of our King, our Savior, the One who redeems us...the One who takes each of us who are sinners and makes us worthy of heaven, if we'll only ask Him. In the coming birth of our daughter, there will be pain. The process of her beginning her life here on earth means I must give her up and all mothers know this process requires long hours of hard work! As we come to Christ, we must strip away and leave our old selves and walk into the arms of the One who can make us new. This gift of salvation for us cost Jesus his life...it was a painful process for Him to leave heaven, live on earth as a blameless man, die a painful death on a cross all so that we could be given life. This is the love of a Father, a mother...to give up what we have, even painfully, so that our children may be given life greater than they could achieve on their own.
As I anticipate Cora's arrival, I feel I've gotten a glimpse of what God our Father feels as He waits patiently for those He's created to come to Him. And how sweet the sound of His voice as He calls..."Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It's true, whether you're 9 months pregnant or are in a place where you find yourself carrying too many burdens for you to handle, there is rest in the arms of the One who made you.
Thank you Jesus for making a way for us...for your sacrifice which means we can experience freedom here on earth and wait expectantly for your return for us someday.
