Waiting! Or Waiting? (!?): A call for Reflection

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

WAITING! - Are we waiting with excitement in relation to great hopes and faith for achieving positive outcomes, which will always be worth waiting for?

Or

WAITING? -  Are we waiting with a questionable mindset due to fears and doubts relating to the anticipated outcomes?

These present times of desperation, fear, and doubt have a higher tendency to monopolize our faith and hopes, and this affects our day-to-day journey in life. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes. Wait for the LORD (Psalms (27:14). As members of the Christian faith community, how are we waiting in this Advent Season? Excitedly with great hope and assurance of positive outcomes with the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Or with fears, doubts, and anxiety relating to wanting or needing more stuff in preparation?

As the United Methodist Church community, how are we waiting when the fate of our church is hanging in the balance, whether to stay united or be divided? With excitement and assurance of the outcome or with panic, doubts, and fear of the outcome? 

Waiting (!) could be exciting especially when it is in great anticipation of hope like waiting for the coming of Christ in this season of Advent as well as waiting for the gathering together of our family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are sure of all the blessings that the Advent Season brings through the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we hopefully and joyfully wait, we sense excitement within us and it overflows within us. With this sort of anticipation, we wait with certainty that our hopes will be transformed into reality. 

On the other hand, waiting (?) is questionably expressed with high hesitation, fears, and doubt of the end result. In this state, our minds will get preoccupied by negative scenarios and all kinds of what-ifs. We can get all worked up in worries. The stakes get even higher when we are waiting for something that we are passionate about and speaks to who we are. It becomes important for us to control it and make it better. In this case, we as United Methodists are understandably concerned and anxious as we wait for what will happen to us as the church. We that have been called to unite and bring disciples of all nations to Christ. We have fears and doubts about the state of our work together and the impact on our ministry together. Is it going to be in whole or in pieces? But, be strong because the Lord said “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10)

As Christians, do you wait (!) with excitement and assurance? Or do you wait (?) with fears and doubts? Recognize that the He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). By worrying during waiting, you can add nothing to the situation but more distress and bitterness. Realize that you are strong and courageous and you can get through this because God is with you, he will not leave you nether forsake you – “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Mohamed “Nabs” Nabieu is a member of Floris UMC in Herndon, VA. A life-long United Methodist, Nabs is originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa. He is an inspirational speaker who finds immense pleasure in serving vulnerable populations, building people up, and empowering the next generation of leaders.