Almighty and Majestic Father, You made, You promised and You delivered. You created me and everything that exists by mere word and breath. You created people to be in relationship with You, just as it was in the Garden of Eden.
You promised me and all creation that You would be with us, though not for a while. The promise was made to Abraham. The wait was long.
Then You delivered on the Promise by the birth of Your Son, Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us. When Jesus ascended into heaven, You sent the Holy Spirit to be with us—always, never to leave us alone.
Before, people had to travel to a temple to be with You. Ceremonial sacrifices were necessary to please You and for sins to be forgiven.
Today, because of the long awaited fulfillment of Your promise, I can be present with You anytime and anywhere. I am unrestrained in asking for forgiveness. I take this beautiful Truth for granted; or maybe I don’t spend enough time marveling at how truly amazing it is.
My life is a microcosm of this Truth. You want me to be in relationship with You. You promise that it’s possible—but it takes a long time for it to begin, evolve, grow and increase … to show itself prominently in the daily living of my life.
I want it to happen quickly … it doesn’t. You’re patient, You wait. You’re merciful, You forgive. You want me to keep trying … to keep looking for You and how You’re working and showing up in every corner of my life, even the nooks and crannies. You tell me “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
While there is the seeking, there is the waiting. I definitely feel the waiting with respect to my prayers—at least those when I ask for stuff. I forget that prayers also include just talking to You, saying “hi, thanks for being with me today.” Or, “I love You.” Hmm, maybe the waiting for my “asking prayers” will not seem as long if I talk to You more often, more naturally, less formally. Maybe I’ll see You working in different ways and that’ll encourage me, increasing my faith and trust in You.
Maybe that’s why You tell us “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” In that seeking, I may find other treasures that You’ve given me; our relationship will blossom, and I’ll more clearly see the Beauty of the God that You are.
In the Always Faithful, Despite the Waiting, Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
