How do you feel about waiting? Do you enjoy standing in long lines or spending hours hoping for something to happen? If you’re like me, probably not. I don’t wake up thinking, "What I really need today is a good, long wait." Whether it’s at the bank, the post office, the freeway or anywhere else, waiting can be frustrating. It reminds us of something we’d rather not admit: we’re not in control. And yet, learning to wait is an essential part of following Jesus.

The mystic Simone Weil once said, “Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual life.” Waiting shapes us. Often, what God does in us during the waiting is more significant than what we’re waiting for. That’s a hard truth but one we see over and over in Scripture. Think about it—how often do we see stories of people waiting in the Bible?

So, what are you waiting for? What are you longing for, hoping for? Maybe it’s a relationship—the right person to share your life with. Or perhaps it’s a new job, a career shift, or financial provision. Whatever it is, we all know what it’s like to wait. This Sunday we reflect on a well known story of waiting in Luke 1:5-25. In the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we encounter an older couple who waited years—decades—for the gift of a child. Their story echoes the Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah, another childless couple waiting on God’s promise. And like in their story, we learn that God often shows up in unexpected ways and at unexpected times.

That’s what Advent is all about—paying attention to the coming of God. It’s a season of hope, reminding us not only that Jesus has come and will come again but that He comes to us now, in the middle of our waiting. He visits us in our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, even in moments of loneliness. Advent teaches us to be attentive to His presence and trust that God’s timing is always perfect.

And as we reflect on their story, we’re reminded that God is never absent in our waiting. Instead, He’s working, transforming, and preparing us for something greater than we could imagine.

So, as you consider your own season of waiting, we will look together at what it means to hold onto hope, to trust that God is with you, even now, and that His presence can transform your waiting into something good and beautiful.