Days after the fact, the news of Jesus birth still had not been proclaimed in Jerusalem. Despite the angel’s chorus and the shepherds rejoicing the report did not reach the people of Jerusalem till later.
There were no Instagram accounts to capture the moment, nor an excited Twitter announcement made that would broadcast this joyous occasion.
In fact, forty days after that first Christmas we find Simeon still in a story of waiting.
It was eight days after the birth of a baby that he was circumcised and named. However, 40 days passed before Mary was declared ceremonially clean and allowed in the temple.
Still Waiting
Do you feel a kinship to Simeon in your own story of waiting? Others have received their perfect ending or so it seems, and we are left suspended in time while others continue their journey with joy and excitement.
However, Simeon reveals truths that we need to grasp when we find our lives taking on an intermission from ‘real life.’
“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon: and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.”
Luke 2:25
- Eagerly anticipate. Simeon waited with eager expectation. He acknowledged that He was waiting for the comfort and rescue of Israel. Yet, Simeon did not let the waiting take over his life. Simeon served God with devotion, as he integrated an anticipation of God’s answer in ordinary life. Simeon knew that God was faithful. Because of that knowledge he could eagerly anticipate God’s answer. Do you wait well when an answer is prolonged?
- Remain faithful. From the Scriptures we feel that Simeon was advanced in age. His life had become a story of waiting for the Messiah. However, Simeon chose to remain staunchly devoted to God, despite not seeing his desire come to pass. Do you remain faithful to what you know, despite delays?
- Cultivate Reliance. Simeon had developed a reliance on God’s leadership in his life. In fact, it was because of that dependency that Simeon was in the temple at the right time. How can you refine your attention to the whispers of the Spirit?
When Later Becomes Your Story
Because Simeon’s heart was tuned toward the whispers of the Spirit, He was in the temple when Mary and Joseph arrived to present baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required.
As Simeon gathered the Christ Child in his arms praise flowed from his lips. Wrapped up in the bundle in Simeon’s arms was God’s message to all people. The message is still true today. We too can praise God for a salvation prepared, comfort given, darkness enlightened, and thoughts revealed.
In Jesus all the things you are waiting for can be found. There is hope if you are still in a story of waiting. As Simeon did, eagerly anticipate God’s working in your life. Stay devoted to God. Within the ordinariness of waiting days, faithfully integrate the truths of God in your life.
If the joyful chorus hasn’t reached your story yet, choose dependence on God through this chapter of waiting.
Remember that whether it is eight days or later, ‘still waiting’ does not mean your story is over.
Don’t wait till later to live. Instead, choose to wait well and cultivate reliance on God while you live fully right where you are.
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