The Sacredness of Waiting: A Lesson for Church Staff
Waiting is inherent to the human experience, and more so to those in leadership positions. Notably, in church leadership, waiting becomes an integral part of the journey. However, as we dive deeper into the sacred narrative of Christmas in our Healthy Church Staff Podcast, we find unexpected value in this waiting.
Unusual Christmas Characters
Simeon and Anna, two rarely mentioned characters in the Christmas narrative, exemplify active and hopeful waiting. Simeon, assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Savior, waited patiently until he held Jesus in his arms. Anna, a prophetess, waited decades in worship, fasting and praying fervently. When Jesus arrived, their waiting concluded with them recognizing and celebrating the Messiah.
These faithful characters, characterized by their long periods of active and attentive waiting, raise a significant question. Could this waiting, often seen as a period of stagnation or frustration, be sacred?
The Waiting Season in Leadership
If you're part of a church staff, waiting would be a familiar phenomenon. Waiting for a vision to materialize, for team alignment, for approval of new staff roles, for leaders to mature, for individuals to join or leave, or for a better season to dawn. It's easy to see these periods of waiting as wasted time or periods of inaction. However, Simeon and Anna's attitudes suggest otherwise.
The Sacred Element of Waiting
What if the waiting season — the one where it seems like nothing is happening — is the precise moment where crucial changes are taking shape? The waiting could be a time God uses to shape your faith, refine your listening skills, or deepen your character.
In essence, waiting could be one of the holiest aspects of leadership. It's not a mere silence or delay from God; it's Him building something sacred within you that urgency cannot foster. It's a shaping phase, a discipleship period where patience is learned, surrender is practiced, and the art of leading without needing control is mastered.
Reflecting Upon Waiting
Ponder upon these reflection questions today:
- Where are you experiencing a season of waiting in your life or ministry?
- What would it look like to treat this waiting as sacred instead of frustrating?
Waiting doesn't mean God is slow. It signifies He's building something sacred within us. For more insights on embracing the sacredness of waiting, tune in to today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. Enjoy your Christmas preparations and have a peaceful holiday season.
