“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.” (Romans 8:22-23a NLT)
Being away from someone you love and with whom you can’t stand to be separated, is painful. The time seems to pass so slowly, then, when our wait is over and we’re finally reunited we seem to pick up right where we left off, as if there’d been no separation. But it’s different with the Lord, in the sense we’ve never been in His physical presence, so, our anticipation is based on two things: First, what we’ve read in Scripture, and Second, how our life in Christ has been so far on earth.
The life I now have with the Lord, on many levels, makes it easy to wait, as His closeness is as real as if I was literally with Him – because I am! But for me, and I suspect for many of you, as we age, it gets harder to live with ourselves. As our physical, mental, and emotional issues increase, the dread can increase as we anticipate what the future may look like.
Our attitude can become: “ANYTHING” will be better than what I’m now experiencing! My contention is that’s the point! Of course, heaven is going to be eternal bliss. Even if we’re never sick a day in our life, then go to heaven, it will still be like night and day. For me, my anticipation grows to be with Jesus regardless of how I’m feeling or how things are going. But there’s another consideration.
C.H. Spurgeon wrote: “We will not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited on us.” But that’s not only true in terms of us coming to Him for salvation but coming to Him for sanctification. At times it seems our spiritual maturity happens at a sick snail’s pace. Some have wrestled with addictions for years, yet the Lord never loses patience with us.
Or waiting for someone we love to be saved. Wow! Talk about agony of spirit! But when we talk with them, it’s like: “Chill! I’m fine!” “NO, YOU’RE NOT!” we want to scream, but refrain for fear we’ll lose all connection with them.
There are two things that bring me comfort in my waiting. First, how patiently the Lord waited for me. But secondly, His promise that if I ask anything in line with His will; that will honor and glorify His Father, He’ll answer. Nothing magnifies and honors the Father more than someone yielding their lives to His precious Son, acknowledging that the tremendous sacrifice He made for us was not in vain.
Knowing that the Lord listens, cares, and promises to answer gives me patience in my waiting. However, I still grieve that the longer the person for whom I’m praying waits, the more they’ll miss by not getting to know Jesus and walking with Him longer on earth. In some ways I want my loved ones and friends to come to Jesus, not only because I want them to be with me in heaven, but I want them to experience a touch of heaven on earth by getting to know Jesus and walking with Him here.
The passion of my life is to know, love, and serve my Savior. Walking with Him gets better, more refreshing and enjoyable the more time we spend together. The strongest argument that Jesus is alive and exactly who He claimed to be is no longer my growing understanding of Scripture or the increasing amount of research and number of books being written about Him. The strongest argument in my spiritual “arsenal,” is His voice that speaks to me so clearly, compassionately, and convincingly. Being close to Him takes the “weary” out of my waiting.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 