A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
Waiting is not typically fun, except for one time of year: Christmastime. During Christmas, I like waiting. I prefer Christmastime over Christmas Day. In the month leading up to Christmas Day, we take care of our friends, bake, sing, spend time with the people we love, and carry the anticipation of celebrating Christmas day. Christmas teaches us how to wait well. It is not a time of pouting or worrying until Christmas. It is a time of joy and celebration. We live full and rich lives while we wait for Christmas, fully expectant that Christmas day is coming. I propose that while we wait for other things like a spouse, children, an answered prayer, etc., we wait like we wait for Christmas. We wait expectantly for God to act according to His will and carry out His mission for our lives joyfully.
Waiting can often feel like a passive act where we sit back and wait until we receive what we have been waiting for. This view of waiting can make us feel helpless without much to do while we wait. Scripture teaches that we do not have to wait passively, regardless of what we are waiting for. We saw in our Bible study together yesterday in Matthew 6 that Jesus explained that the most important thing we can do, especially while waiting, is focus on growing in our relationships with God. Growing in our faith is the first thing we can do while we wait, but it is not the only thing we can do. After Jesus explained that loving God with everything in us is the most important thing in Matthew 6, He continued teaching that the second most important commandment is "Love your neighbor as yourself" (verse 39). Loving the people around us is essential for followers of Christ. While we wait for an answered prayer, a spouse, healing, a relationship to be restored, or anything else, we can wait well by loving our neighbors. Even while waiting, we will find joy and purpose as we love the people around us.
What are you waiting on? Maybe you are waiting on a spouse, healing for yourself or someone you love, a broken relationship to be restored, or something else. Regardless of what you are waiting on, your call today is to look around you instead of your own situations and love the people around you in need. You will find deep contentment and joy as you love the people around you.
Let's joyfully choose today to love our neighbors. Who is a neighbor of yours in need? How can you help them today? Even a simple coffee delivery can make someone's day. Whatever you decide, step out today and love your neighbor well. As you do this, you will point them to Christ. This brings joy in the most challenging times of waiting.
Matthew 22:39-46 (NLT)
"A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
Whose Son Is the Messiah?41 Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: 42 "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?"
They replied, "He is the son of David."
43 Jesus responded, "Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah 'my Lord'? For David said,
44 'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.'
45 Since David called the Messiah 'my Lord,' how can the Messiah be his son?"
46 No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions."
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