Reflection:

I am not yet what I desire to be. I desire to be like Jesus in thought, word and deed. I do not have yet what I wish to possess. I long for God to infuse all of me so that I am fully in him and he fully fills me. And so there is a gap between my future hope and my present state. We can respond to this gap in one of two ways: despairing frustration or hopeful waiting. It comes as no surprise that Paul calls for the second. Paul calls for us to wait for the time of fulfilment — the second coming of Christ, the redemption of our bodies and the coming together of heaven and earth — with patience. The word he uses calls for an active or eager waiting, with steadfastness and perseverance. Striking the balance is not so easy.

What are you having a hard time waiting for right now?

Prayer:

I waited patiently for you, LORD, you turned to me and heard my cry. You lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; you set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. You put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to you, oh God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in you. Amen.