Week 1: Expectation
Thank you for taking the time to sit with our annual Advent Devotionals. As we move into a busy month of exams and holiday preparation, we invite you to sit with the words of members of the TCU community. Our third devotional comes from Kimber Crumrine, a campus minister with TCU Chi Alpha and a gift to the TCU community.
Words to ponder
“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul;
“Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him,
To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].
Lamentations 3:24-25 (AMP)
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.
Isaiah 40:29-31 (AMP)
Hit the brakes
Waiting often goes against what we naturally and culturally desire to do. But when our natural preference is to step on the gas, God often is telling us to hit the brakes. Waiting is tough because we relate it with inactivity and idleness. Waiting causes us to grow restless. But then again waiting, which can also be interpreted as hoping, means to wait with expectation, anticipation, to look forward. The implication is that we are waiting and watching with expectation of what God is going to do.
During these times of waiting, God is often refueling and refining us for what He has in store. Everything around us needs to be refueled or recharged after a lot of use. The car has to be refueled, the body needs to sleep, and phones need to be recharged. So, don’t we think our spiritual life need to be renewed as well? What may seem like inactivity from our perspective is often purposeful preparation from God’s perspective. Be encouraged! For those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength and renew their power.
Let us pray
God, I pray that in times of busyness, I would stop and wait for Your guidance. I know that I can’t do anything without You renewing me. Thank You for giving me the strength and peace in times of rest and in times of busyness. Help me recognize when I need to rest in You.
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