Waiting- Olivia Gramling

As this season of advent is upon us, often this time of year puts us in a place of remembrance. We remember Christ coming as a child, in human flesh, to become the Savior of the world. We remember loved ones by giving them gifts we stash underneath the tree. But for many, in this season of joy, we find our hearts aching in the waiting.

Isaiah 9: 6

For a child is born to us, A son is given to us; And the government Is upon His shoulder; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Waiting.

Waiting anxiously for Christ to return as He promises us. Waiting for a job to line up for the upcoming year. Or even for a certain friendship to heal, or a deep sorrow to be redeemed.

In the fellowship, a great lesson I have had to learn is to wait. Though I wanted to fall quickly into a normal routine in the fellowship from the beginning, I was challenged from the first week to lay down my wants and needs to the Lord, the fellowship and the fellows around me. Life in the fellowship teaches you to humble yourself first and wait on His good timing for all things to come to fruition.

That is to wait on Christ, but also to wait IN Christ. Knowing that He holds all time. Even when my selfish heart pleads for action, sometimes as a follower of Christ, He teaches us to stop and evaluate our hearts.

Four long and hard months have passed since coming to Van TX and as I reflect, much has changed. I graduated from Taylor University and moved from a small town in Indiana across the US to Texas, far from loved ones, and everything known. This was my first interaction with Sky Ranch and I dove in head first entering the Fellowship, lacking any expectations. Relationships have changed and grown over this time. However,I believe that our call to wait in Christ does not change, though our circumstances may say otherwise. We are called to stand steadfast. Though we know not where our future is headed, or what tomorrow may bring, Christ remains.

Over and over again, I am so graciously pulled back into true reality. Reality that my Savior has already come and will come again. To wait on Christ is to trust in His Holy name, that what He will follow through in His promises.

 In this Christmas season, choose to wait patiently on the Lord and be reminded of His perfect timing, even if our hearts may be troubled and we must wait. We rejoice in these trials, for we know who is in control. Rest in His promises this season.

James 5:7-8

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.                                  

Isaiah 40:31

            But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.