“The Lord is good to those
whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25-26
Dear Church Family:
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving, and now, in case you
didn’t notice it from the stores’ advertisements and
decorations meant to inspire you to find the perfect gifts,
we’ve started our yearly “Journey to Bethlehem”! But here
in church, we’re looking for something different than
commercial products: we are looking for the spiritual gifts
of the Babe of Bethlehem’s joy, presence, and peace in our
hearts and in our lives.
The journey is characterized by some patient waiting in
hope. Our parents all waited nine months. Then, we wait
for up to some 90 years, sometimes more. They of the
Bible waited for 4000 years.
But God is already here at each moment in our waiting.
God is constantly present in the waiting moments of our
lives, neither far away nor absent; He is always here with us.
He sustains us with what we need, speaks to us with words
of encouragement and hope, and is always at work
preparing His future and perfect gifts to us.
Over the next six weeks, we’ll take the time to see this in
His kind words and deeds towards Zacharias and Elisabeth,
Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise men, Simeon
and Anna, through His gifts of promises, instructions, song,
light and praise, guidance, blessings, and through the wonder
and matchless Gift of His love and divine Presence.
God didn’t only do this for them back then. God does this
for us today. Scripture assures us that God is always on time.
God makes “everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3: 11),
and the Messiah was born
“in the fullness of times” (Galatians 4:4).
Ellen White has a beautiful expression for this:
“Like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path,
God’s purposes know no haste and no delay.” (DA, 32).
The prophet’s encouragement to us is:
“The vision is yet for the appointed time; it will not fail. Though it
tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come.” Habakkuk 2:3
Are you waiting for something good to happen in your life?
While waiting for it, may you be encouraged in our church
family’s and in your personal “Journey to Bethlehem” this
year. And may you find anew the Light that always was with
you and that never left you.
With Love,
Pastor Sam
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