Waiting and Watching

Although we live in a world where nothing but the instant response and next day deliveries will do, there are areas of our lives which are still subject to endless delays. Some examples are the National Health Service waiting lists (here in the UK), doctors’ appointments, queues at the checkout of the supermarket, traffic jams, trains, and buses. In these situations, whether we are patient people or not, we have no alternative but to wait.

Waiting can be an anxious time for some. For others it can be a time of excited expectation. It all depends on what is being waited for.

I am reading a book about the end times, and what Christians should be looking for as signs of the return of Jesus. The author said there is a great deal of difference between waiting and watching. He asked this question: Although many Christians are waiting for the Lord to return, how many are actually watching for Him, and living their lives accordingly?

A few years ago, when our granddaughter was five or six, we would go to visit her house. Well before our expected time of arrival, she would station herself on top of her climbing tower in the garden to get the first glimpse of us as we drove down the road. Then she would run to the gate to welcome us. This is perhaps a simple illustration of how we should be living now, waiting for the return of Jesus with excited expectation.

We learn a great amount from ‘the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids’ about being prepared and living our lives with the expectancy of the return of the Bridegroom, Jesus. (See Matthew 25). Yes, we may understand that Jesus is coming back one day, and believe it to be true, because He said He would (John 14:3). But are we actively engaged in preparing ourselves by getting our lives in order, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His sanctifying work in us? Are we also encouraging others to be ready? The challenge for each of us is whether we would be ready if Jesus returned tomorrow.

Most of us, if we are expecting guests to stay in our home, will go to a great amount of trouble to ensure everything is prepared and ready for their visit. We want them to feel welcome, comfortable, and at home with us. Shouldn’t this be even more relevant for us in our personal lives as we anticipate the Lord’s return?

There are many places in Scripture where Jesus exhorts His disciples to watch for His return. One such reference is, ‘So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return’ (Matthew 25:13).

Peter challenges us about how we should be living as we await the return of Jesus. ‘So dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight’ (2 Peter 3:14a).

Perhaps, as we read our newspapers and watch the news, we should be asking the Lord for discernment to accurately interpret the signs of the times, so we may have renewed enthusiasm for His imminent return.

‘There’s a light upon the mountains, and the day is at the spring, when our eyes shall see the beauty and the glory of the King; weary was our heart with waiting, and the night-watch seemed so long, but His triumph-day is breaking and we hail it with a song’ (Henry Burton 1840-1930).