On tiptoe.
It was Christmas Eve, many years ago now. (spoiler alert)
Don, dressed in his Santa Claus costume, had just delivered selection packs to
the three little girls of dear friends of ours. Striding back towards our
little white mini metro, he glanced up and saw two young children peering out
of an upstairs window of a house across the street.
Their eyes were big and their jaws were slack as they spied
the one they were waiting for. ‘Santa’ waved and, relieved that he had bought
extra selection packs, walked up to their front door to deliver these trifles
to the children waiting so eagerly, on tiptoe.
I realise this morning that my waiting stance is not eager
and on tiptoe. I often wait with – if not dread, then with resignation – for the
next bad news to drop. A new revelation of wrong-doing by a prominent
politician or church leader. A new threat of invasion or violence. A new
outbreak of disease or confusing insurance claim for Mom.
Paul writes to the Romans, (and I love this translation in The
Passion version): ‘The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see
the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the
universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the
consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs
for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful
freedom coming to God’s children.’
The wonderful freedom!
Jesus Christ has set us free from that enslavement to hang-dog
resignation and despair. I know this, and once again I step, intentionally, into
the freedom he has bought for me. I sense hope rising within me as I step out
of the darkness and into the light. I look up, my spirit on tiptoe.
This week will culminate in our remembrance and celebration
of Pentecost, and I determine, with God’s help, to walk towards this glorious
day on tiptoe, in expectation that God is eager to do it again, to bless each
of us with the gift of his Holy Spirit as we posture ourselves to receive all
he has for us.
I pray this morning for Christians all over the world to
surrender their despair and remember who it is we follow, waiting on tiptoe in
anticipation for what Jesus will do in individual hearts, minds and spirits as
he blesses his church universal with another outpouring of his Holy Spirit.
This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be
glad in it.
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