Advent

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.  He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David.

Luke 1:68-69

It is often said that “patience is a virtue.”  But when is it okay to give up patience?  After 10 minutes?  A year?  A decade?  A century???  The Israelites waited hundreds of years for God to raise up a mighty saviour.  Generations waited in hope. The Israelites did not give up on God’s promise.

After generations of waiting, Zechariah was visited by an angel of God who came with an astonishing message.  Your long wait is over.  Your hope is fulfilled.  The messiah is near.  God is entering the world in a new way that will fulfil hope and renew grace.  Imagine that.  Zechariah’s response to this astounding news is to shout a blessing.  What a blessing he was to receive.

Today we have grown increasingly impatient.

We want what we want right now.  That leaves little room for hope and trust that God will respond.  Have you ever given up hope in God?  In a world of quick responses, it is easy to give up on God when God doesn’t respond a quickly as Siri, Alexa, or Amazon Prime.  But what would it look like to be patient and not lose hope?

Reflect

Imagine what blessings God has in store when you surrender and practice patience like Zechariah. Practicing patience does not mean waiting a lifetime; it means being still and patient enough to await God’s wisdom which always comes.

Almighty God,

Grant me still patience in my busy life to look and to listen for You.  As You were present in the world in the Incarnation, be present with me, that I may know the joys and blessings that you offer this season.

Amen.