Wait for the Lord – be strong, take heart.
One of the most significant spiritual moments in my life occurred over 3 decades ago.
I was travelling with a group of Australians on pilgrimage to the Taizé community in France. We were there for a week. Each day there was an opportunity for biblical reflection, manual tasks, building community, worship and prayer.
The spiritual life was centred on the chapel where we gathered with the Taizé brothers. In the stark light of day, the Chapel reflected French modern architecture but with candlelight and icons it became a space inviting deep reflection. Prayer in the Taizé community is structured so that people are moved to intentionally wait on the Lord.
I can’t confirm if we used the Taizé chant “Wait for the Lord – be strong, take heart” on the days I was there. However, it speaks to my Taizé experience. Like many of their chants, it evokes a profound memory of being still with the anticipation of encountering God.
Waiting on the Lord is a practice of Christian mindfulness that helps address anxiety.
It is easy for us to be anxious. If I think about the changes in the USA, I worry what will happen to global democracy. I am overwhelmed when I think of the Middle East, my heart aches for the victims of war. I am conscious that the fault lines in the Anglican Communion remain as troubling as ever. I could keep adding complex problems to this list.
One of the features of these complex problems is that no human planning or scheming seems able to resolve them. We are looking for and need something else. At such times, we are encouraged to pray – to wait upon the Lord – to be open to his guidance for us and others.
Jesus spoke to people about anxious times.
He said, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6: 31 & 33)
In his own anxious time, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. (Matthew 26: 40 – 41a)
In this season of Advent, I encourage you to build a time of reflection and waiting into your prayers. I hope that this time might be filled with eager anticipation that the Holy Spirit will speak to and guide individuals and communities.
With every blessing,
+Peter
