One common, very intense emotion is fear. Fear is useful for many situations in life. Fear of a wild animal or a hot fire is to act responsibly. To be sure there are fearful moments in this life. But God does not want us to live IN fear. The message all through the Bible is: “Fear not”! Instead of fearing life’s circumstances, we are to fear God. That means living with a healthy respect for Who He is and the authority and control He possesses. Instead of wasting time living in fear, wait on the Lord in trust, praise, and worship.

A friend shared a book for the Christmas season. A particular chapter highly resonated with me concerning fear and waiting. This area in my life seems to be the Lord’s focus. I wonder why? (Sarcastic question 😉) The following is an excerpt from: Watch For The Light:

“One of the most pervasive emotions in the atmosphere around us is fear. People are afraid –afraid of inner feelings, afraid of other people (Matthew 10:28), and also afraid of the future (Matthew 6:25).” And we could certainly add, afraid of the doctor’s findings. He goes on to say that “Fearful people don’t remain still – they flea…People who live in a world of fear are more likely to make aggressive, hostile, destructive responses than people who are not frightened…The more afraid we are—the harder ‘waiting’ is.’

When I think about all the times I am fearful, waiting is definitely the last thing on my agenda. I want to act or hear something. I want to leave the realm of having to trust God with the situation!

Early on in Luke’s Gospel we meet great teachers of what it looks like to “wait” amid what could be fearful circumstances. Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, and Anna are Hebrew individuals who have mastered waiting, “being attentive living expectantly.” They each received a promise and are waiting expectantly. “Waiting is a movement from something to something more.” The Prophets of old prophesied the coming King, including where He would be born (Micah 5:2). God’s messengers in the form of Angelic messengers brought expectant Hope. A Hope that was so sure they waited in active surrender to the promise.

We have a Hope in the second coming of the Savior and King as promised in Scripture (Hebrews 9:28, ESV; Titus 2:13, ESV; Matthew 24:44; John 14:3). Accordingly, we live in active surrender to the promise (Revelation 22:12; Matthew 24:42), while letting our lights shine for His glory.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in the moment He arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!

Luke 12:34-37, NLT

Get dressed, put away fear and WAIT EXPECTANTLY!

More than ever, this Christmas, shine the light of hope!