If we think about it, we spend a lot of time in our life “waiting.” We often need to wait when we would rather not and sometimes are impatient and annoyed as a result, but waiting helps develop patience, which is needful to live a well-balanced life.
By Barbara Bonnell based on Galatians 5:5 and Discovering God Through the Arts by Terry Glaspey
Scripture: Galatians 5:5 “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”
An old family photo inspired this painting idea. Many years ago, after attending Church, my extended family took turns hosting dinners. Among the regular attendees were several cousins who were about the same age and good friends as well as being related. Not knowing the exact reason that the children were on the dock in the photo, I surmised they were anticipating the day’s activities, so I entitled the piece “Waiting for the Cousins.”
Waiting in ordinary ways in ordinary places is a common occurrence, and we can use this time, as Terry Glaspey says in his book, Discovering God through the Arts, to pay attention to the details surrounding us. When we consider such things we otherwise would not even notice—our outlook on the entire day might change.
Whether we eagerly anticipate events that we love and enjoy or perhaps even totally new experiences, the list is quite endless of all the “waits” we experience, and while we wait, we can put Mr. Glaspey’s idea into practice to find a wonderful blessing in the waiting.
Similarly, waiting with faith and expectation to be with Jesus in our resurrected body is something each believer can look forward to. Just as Jesus was resurrected, after His death on the cross, taking upon Himself our sins, He made it possible for us to receive resurrected bodies. In John 14:1-3, Jesus tells His disciples that He will come back for them for He has prepared a place for them—and they can be where He is. We also have this wonderful hope, that we in our resurrected bodies can be where the Lord Jesus Christ is.
Prayer: Lord, help us to wait with patience as circumstances arise in our daily life, and may we use our time wisely as we wait, as said in the above verse “for that we do not yet see.” The merciful gift of salvation and being with You in eternity is a huge and indescribable blessing—and one, in which, to give praise and everlasting thanksgiving for from the depth of our heart.
Media: Watercolor
Copyright © Barbara Bennell, 2024