“The Lord longs and waits to be gracious to you. He will rise up to show you compassion … Blessed are all those who wait for him” (Isa. 30:18).
Heavenly Father, those who know me best would not describe me as a patient, unruffled, cheerful wait-er. Long lines light my short fuse. Delays expose my control idols. Slow traffic triggers my quick irritability. But I am SO thankful waiting is one of your “strong suits,” Abba.
Hallelujah, thank you, and help us understand the ways we miss and resist a deeper experience of your graciousness. You are perpetually grace-filled toward us, and it is in your grace that we now sit, walk, stand (Rom.5:2), live, and sleep. But knowing you as a kind, gracious, loving Father is different than affirming our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone (Eph.2:8-10).
You are calling us to a richer, unrushed intimacy with yourself. That’s precisely what we need and want more than anything else. But the way we plan, schedule, and live the month of December wages a war against “unruffled stillness, undisturbed quietness, and unrivaled trust” (Isa.30:15).
Father, why am I (why are we) in such a hurry? Why my edginess, constant movement, and noisy heart? I repent, Father. Early in this season of Advent, recalibrate my heart to beat at the pace of grace. What will it profit any of us to give the most awesome Christmas gifts ever, send a record number of Christmas cards, not miss a single party, pageant, event at church, carol singing, wassailing—(whatever that is) … and yet end up exhausted and no closer to you and Jesus? (John 17:3). Thank you for wanting and waiting to give us your gracious self, not just more grace. So Very Amen.