If I'm sitting in a restaurant with nothing to do until someone takes my order. Then I have to sit for a while longer until someone bring my food... shouldn't I be called the "waiter?"
Waiting is a universal part of the human experience. From the moment we are born, life becomes a series of waits. Waiting to grow up, waiting to graduate, waiting to land the dream job, or waiting for a long-anticipated vacation—life is marked by anticipation. Waiting is a part of who we are, but it’s also something we can learn to do well, especially as people of faith.
Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, is all about waiting—intentional, expectant waiting. It’s not passive but purposeful, reminding us to prepare for what we know is coming. In the same way, learning to wait with hope shapes how we live our lives, from the small daily waits to the ultimate anticipation of Christ’s return.
What Is Hope?
Before diving into waiting with hope, we need to understand what hope means from a biblical perspective. In our modern usage, hope often feels uncertain, more like a wish. “I hope the weather stays nice this weekend,” or, “I hope I get that promotion.” It’s aspirational but not guaranteed.
In Scripture, hope carries a much deeper meaning. Biblical hope is an expectation, an anticipation rooted in confidence. It’s not based on chance but on God’s faithfulness. As we wait with hope, we aren’t merely crossing our fingers; we are anchoring ourselves to the promises of a God who has never failed and will never fail.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (ESV). This verse doesn’t speak of wishful thinking but of a confident expectation that God will act in His time and according to His will.
The Struggle of Waiting
Let’s be honest—waiting is hard. It tests our patience, endurance, and faith. Life’s uncertainties can feel overwhelming, and in the fog of the unknown, we may lose sight of the shore.
Consider the story of Florence Chadwick, who in 1952 attempted to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast. On a cold and foggy morning, this experienced and dedicated swimmer set out to swim the 26 miles of Pacific Ocean that separates the island from the mainland. Despite her strength and training, she finally called it quits and signaled to the chase boat to lift her from the water. After she was in the boat, she learned that she had given up less than a mile from shore. She later said, “I'm not excusing myself for giving up. But if I could have seen the shore, I might have made it.”
Our lives often feel like that swim. We’re in the middle of a fog, struggling to see the end. But unlike Chadwick, we have the promises of God to guide us. His Word is the lighthouse cutting through the mist, reminding us that the shore is near even when we cannot see it.
Losing Heart
One of the greatest challenges in waiting is losing heart. When prayers seem unanswered or life feels stagnant, it’s easy to become discouraged. Jesus addressed this in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8). The widow’s relentless appeals to an unjust judge highlight the importance of persistent prayer and unwavering faith.
When we lose heart, one of the first things to falter is our prayer life. We stop talking to God, and our hope begins to wane. But Jesus encourages us to persist, to trust that God hears and answers, even if the timeline isn’t what we expected.
Waiting on the Lord
Waiting on the Lord is different from merely enduring time. It’s a hopeful, active waiting grounded in faith. Isaiah 40:28–29 reminds us of God’s inexhaustible strength:
“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength” (ESV).
When we wait on the Lord, we’re not relying on our own limited resources. Instead, we’re trusting in the One whose power and wisdom are limitless.
Anchoring Our Hope
Biblical hope is firmly anchored in God’s promises. While God doesn’t promise a trouble-free life, He does assure us of His presence, provision, and ultimate victory. Consider these promises:
- God Will Provide: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, ESV).
- God Will Never Leave: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).
- God Will Renew Your Strength: “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).
Look at this post for more promises: Ten Promises from God to Help You Wait with Hope — Advent 2024
These promises give us confidence in the fog of life.
Florence Chadwick attempted to swim from Catalina Island to the Californa coast a second time. This time, the weather was clear. She could see her goal. She made it easily, even breaking the men's record. Like Florence Chadwick on her second attempt—when the skies were clear, and she could see her goal—we can move forward with renewed strength because God’s promises illuminate our path.
Walking in Hope
Waiting with hope is not passive; it’s an active expression of faith. Romans 5:3–5 encourages us to persevere, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint because it’s rooted in God’s love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is a vital part of walking in hope. It keeps us connected to God, fuels our faith, and reminds us of His promises. The persistent widow teaches us to pray with confidence and persistence, trusting that God is working even when we cannot see it.
Finally, hope propels us to love and serve others. As we wait on the Lord, we are called to reflect His love in our actions. Hope isn’t just about looking forward; it’s about living faithfully in the present, being about the Lord’s business while trusting in His timing.
Christ: Our True Hope
At the heart of our hope is Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection secure every promise of God. Through Him, our sins are forgiven, our relationship with God is restored, and we have the assurance of eternal life.
Waiting on the Lord means trusting in Christ’s completed work and looking forward to His return. It’s living with the confidence that God’s plan is perfect and that He will make all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Practical Steps for Waiting with Hope
- Rest in God’s Strength: Stop relying on your own abilities. Turn to the God who never grows weary.
- Renew Your Hope: Meditate on God’s promises and commit to persistent prayer during seasons of waiting.
- Love in Action: Let your hope inspire you to serve others, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways.
Learning to wait with hope transforms how we approach life’s uncertainties. It’s not about gritting our teeth and enduring but about leaning on God’s strength, anchoring ourselves in His promises, and living out our faith in love.
Much grace and peace to you!
