Waiting With Intention
“… and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation …”
(Romans 15:20, ESV)
Today I share with you the words and thoughts of another … Erica Boschman, one of our MB pastors in Edmonton. As I have been reading through the Advent devotional made available by MB Seminary, this particular entry (of Dec. 10th) has continued to role around in my mind and heart. How do I not just wait with anticipation but also with intention?
Pastor Ryan
Waiting with Intention
What image comes to mind when you think of waiting?
The adage says a watched pot never boils, and in my house most pots go unwatched and regularly boil over. Waiting is a delicate balance. To wait for water to boil, you stop your entire life to stare at a pot of liquid, which is not very useful, and I would imagine very boring. And yet, ignoring the pot is just as useless because it usually results in someone scrubbing the stovetop.
How do we wait? Where is the balance?
Today’s reading is from Paul’s letter to the early Roman church, and Paul is waiting well. In chapter 8, he talks about waiting eagerly, and in chapter 13 he reminds his readers that “the night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Rom. 13:12). And yet, Paul is not standing around watching a pot and waiting for it to boil.
Read today’s passage again and take note of all the active words Paul uses. He proclaims the gospel as he waits! He leads the Gentiles to obey God as he waits. He preaches where Christ is not known as he waits.
Paul is waiting, but with intention that is active. Why? The passage suggests that Paul intentionally waits so that people might know Christ. Paul is intentionally waiting so that more people may wait actively with him. It seems Paul is watching the pot and working in the kitchen.
Devotionals for the Advent season often challenge us to pull back and wait with anticipation, which has its place. But what if this Advent season, we were to lean in and wait with intention? What if we got busy in the kitchen?
What do you find challenging about waiting with intention? What is one practical way you can incorporate this style of waiting into your Advent season this year?
Erica Boschman is Associate Pastor at River West Christian Church in Edmonton, Alberta.