Waiting and Watching

 

There are times we pause life to wait and watch for some expected event.

 

When death gives sufficient warning, we may keep vigil with a loved one, waiting and watching for the final breath.

 

When the last weeks of pregnancy finally arrive, we wait and watch (and nest) for the predictable rhythm of contractions.

 

When the wedding procession starts, the guests wait and watch for the star of the show to appear at the end of the aisle.

 

When the old year nears midnight, we wait and watch for the tick of the clock that declares the birth of the new year.

 

One of my traditions growing up was to attend a watch night service every New Year’s Eve. If you aren’t familiar with those, here’s the idea. Our church family would gather to wait and watch for the new year together in worship and community.  The typical schedule started at 8pm with singing and a sermon. In the middle we would break for an hour or so of food and fellowship. Then in the last hour of the year, we reconvened in the sanctuary for a time of prayer, the Lord’s Supper and some years we had a good old-fashioned time of feet washing. We drove home after midnight, dodging the party goers, with an open heart ready for another fresh start.

 

Another watch and wait situation was discussed between Jesus and his disciples. Mark recorded his instructions for awaiting his second coming like this.

“My coming can be compared with that of a man who went on a trip to another country. He laid out his employees’ work for them to do while he was gone and told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. Keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when I will come, at evening, at midnight, early dawn or late daybreak. Don’t let me find you sleeping. Watch for my return! This is my message to you and to everyone else.” [Mark 13:34-37, TLB]

 

In 2022 you’ll find me and fellow believers on watch. We won’t be idle while waiting. We’ll set new goals and keep hands busy. We won’t know the hour or the year or even if He will come back in our lifetimes. But we’re expectant. We’ll be waiting and watching.