What are you waiting for?

A story is told of an old Indian who traveled from the reservation to NY City to visit a friend.  As they walked down a crowded street he paused and cocked his head, then questioned, “Do you hear that bird singing?”  His friend scoffed, “You’re kidding!  You can hear a bird in all this noise?”  The old Indian smiled and said, “Watch” as he pulled some coins from his pocket and tossed them to the sidewalk.  Several people paused to check out the dropped coins. “See? It all     depends on what you are listening for.”

           There were two elderly people in the temple who had faithfully served the Lord and waited for His redeemer all their lives.  They recognized Him as soon as they saw Him because they were so attuned to the voice of the Spirit of God.  When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring salvation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.”  (Luke 2:29-32)

          Another faithful watcher, 83 year old Anna, who served God in the temple with fastings and prayers night and day came in at the same moment and “gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”  (Luke 2:36-38)

          What are you looking, listening, and waiting for?  What is the ‘home of your thoughts’ that your mind automatically goes to when you don’t have to be occupied with something specific?   How about His return – the sound of a trumpet?  He is coming back!  James reminds us, “You, also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand!”  (James 5:7-8)

 

Exciting meditations:  II Peter 3:12-13;  I Thess. 4:13-18 and 5:1-11 & 23