Are you waiting?

It is an important question! Especially for Christians, as, whoever doesn't believe in Jesus Christ does not expect His second coming. But, there are probably some Christians who are also not expecting it, or don't even know that the Bible speaks of Jesus' second coming. Waiting is of no insubstantial significance to Christians. It is clear that this is not a very popular topic amongst Christians – who likes to wait? However, for all of us who call ourselves Christians, and are also Christians, it is a given order to have patience when waiting for God's actions and reasons – in accordance with His promises. We read in Proverbs 10:28: “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.” The ungodly, so unbelievers, are also waiting upon God – even without realizing it – but they are in fact waiting for the judgement! To wait, as a Christian, has to do with a practical, realistic hope. But, are we really overjoyed to be waiting? It certainly depends on what it is actually all about. To wait for lunch, although one is hardly hungry, or to be served something, which one doesn't really like, is certainly no reason to be overjoyed. Similarly, waiting for a grade for an assignment for which you didn't learn – definitely not cause to be overjoyed. But, there are things which are not in our own hands. Things which are much bigger and more crucial to our lives. And when we think about it, there are many things over which we have no influence. Then one has a rather vague hope that this or that will somehow work out and continue to do so. Or one relies on others, or on a real or imaginary authority. As Christians we find ourselves in a battle – not against flesh and blood, but against demonic rulers and powers (Ephesians 6:12). The devil is also waiting – to bring us to a fall and that his attacks and temptations will lead to his goal to harm us. Are we waiting and expecting God to help us? Are we really doing this?

To fight the good fight of faith, in a spiritual sense, is not to fight against the devil and the co-incidences of life, but in trusting, and in wrestling in prayer and faith, for God to work, help and preserve us. And this, never to our detriment – on the contrary (God's promise in Romans 8:28). Therefore, we should wait and not lose faith, as we read in Hebrews 10:35-38: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Habakkuk 2:3-4). This waiting therefore has as much to do with our daily lives and its consequences, as with Jesus coming again in power and glory. And indeed to those who wait on HIM! This life challenges us daily. Who doesn't know that? It sometimes also frustrates, unsettles, provokes and discourages us. For this reason, it is all the more important that we invest patience, persevere and wait in prayer. God's help and guidance is never late – even when we sometimes think otherwise. Our feelings are deceptive, because we have to struggle for patience – it is necessary for us to exercise our patience. God's calculations are often different – and we as children of God don't live in the logic and ideas of this world. The essence of this world will pass away (1 Corinthians 7:31). What really matters is God's eternal will – also for your and my life! Nothing better can happen to us. Amen.

Jörg Bauer