I hate waiting.

I dated Diedra for five long years before we got married (the disadvantage of meeting when you’re in high school).

We struggled with infertility–something no one ever sees coming. I thought waiting for my wedding was hard. Waiting for our first child was even harder.

We moved a thousand miles from home to attend seminary in Dallas. It was a long, four year program–seemed like forever away on the first day. Thought for sure a ministry job would be waiting for me at commencement–little did we know it would be another five years before I’d be hired for a full-time ministry position.

Advent is waiting training. It’s actually designed to help Christians wait for Christmas. Building longing. Building anticipation. We light the candles slowly–one candle a week for a month. We countdown the chocolatey calendar. We wrap the presents and tell the kids, “Not till Christmas.” It’s time to wait.

And maybe, just maybe, through this training we’ll learn to wait better. More patiently. More deliberately. More communally. More God-dependently.

Whatever season you’re in, I’m sure you’re waiting for something. Aching for something.

Mark Vroegop (Lead Pastor, College Park Church, Indianapolis) wrote a short and profound book that I found strengthening this Advent Season. Entitled Waiting isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life, this book is full of biblical insight and is eminently practical. Whatever or whomever you are waiting for during this season, I’m sure you’ll be challenged and encouraged by his wise words.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:13-14)