Perfect Timing, as always.

Advent is about joyfully waiting. But this year my heart is weighed down, waiting for the Lord to open the great “full time employment” door. I am sure my motives could be more pure; my spirit could be more hopeful. But I am waiting just the same.

A couple months ago—back when the weather was still warmish—I was having an especially rough day. So after work I decided to go for a walk along Loyola University’s lake shore path. It was just about dusk when I sat down to finish watching the sun go down. I was having a quality vent session with Jesus when I looked over and saw, suspended from a railing, a rather large spider. It was surrounded by a brilliant web, which, I thought to myself, must have taken quite a long time to construction. At this point, one such as my sister would have booked it across campus. But I am not one to be extricated by a bug. In fact, I was quite fascinated by the scene. And then it was God’s turn to speak. 

In that little corner of creation, the spider had everything he needed: a home, a way of catching food, a way of defending himself and caring for his offspring. Pretty simple, but that’s all an arachnid really needs. And I got to thinking. Do I have all I need, right here in front of me? If yes, then why am I so inclined to want more? I’m pretty sure I am allowed to have hopes and dreams. By maybe the better question is whether these hopes are God-inspired or me sinfully coveting my neighbor’s “greener grass.” 

I am not sure I have come to a conclusion yet. But I do know that scenes like this stick in my mind for a reason. Micah the prophet spoke in a similar way when he said: 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
   though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
   one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
   from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

Basically: Though you are silly little sheep, faith-wavering, and fearful, the Lord has decided to produce abundant fruit from your life. 

His promises are sound, my friends. The Lord has us where He has us—in this time and place—for a reason. I am not sure what that reason is yet, but then again, I am pretty sure no one in rural Bethlehem, much less Mary, expected the birth of a Savior that night. But He came anyway. He didn’t wait until we were ready. He came just as we were beginning to think our expectations would get dashed. 

Perfect timing, as always.