“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5
With the season changing from summer to fall, most of us are excitedly putting away our summer clothes and bringing out the fall wardrobe. Some of us are deciding what kind of candy to pass out for the trick or treaters or the of kinds delicious dishes that will be prepared at Thanksgiving. Some of us are checking our furnaces in case winter decides to visit earlier. Regardless of what you are planning, you are still waiting in purpose for what you know is over the horizon. Waiting in this way means being fruitful in preparation of something that is to come. This kind of fruit comes from allowing God to move in your daily activities and future plans. It means that honoring God produces a faithful and expectant waiting for whatever he has in store. This can look like love for one another, having fellowship, giving a word of encouragement, giving to those who are in need, and receiving with gladness. It means becoming intentional about our time and resources.
Many times, Christ uses his parables to remind us how important it is to be intentional with what God has given us, so that we are moving in God’s plan and not apart. As we look toward remembering the birth of Christ, let us wait in purpose, His purposes. Let us make intentional steps in what God has already given you, so that you may look anew on the glorious redemption of Christ and his work in our lives. I invite you to pray this prayer if you are in need of encouragement where there should be joy, hope where there should be purpose, comfort where there should be strength.
Submitted by Ashley Phillips
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for inviting me into your purposes and giving me what I need to honor you so that I may show others who you really are. The Lord of Life, joy, peace, comfort, strength, wisdom, order. You are all these and much more. I am thankful that I have been made better each day by your mercy and unfailing love that brings me closer to you. Help me wait in purpose for your glory, the mystery that is your Christ. Show me the Way. In Christ Name, Amen.