Fog

What does it mean to wait on God?

I have been confronted with this question in a new way today. As we participate in the anticipatory waiting of Advent I think it is important for us to continue to explore this question, "What does it really mean for us to wait on God?"

Some of our best friends in Kansas City have spent many months preparing to go as missionaries to Rwanda. We initially met in a spiritual formation group. Our friendship has grown deep over the past three years as we have met every two weeks to eat together, encourage each other, and share in the journey of life together. Most importantly we meet to pray for one another. Even though we come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, I can honestly say that we are a family. This morning was probably the last time that we will see them for quite some time, as they will soon be headed back to Europe to see their parents and extended family before they take their assignment on the mission field.

It was a bittersweet encounter - rejoicing over the blessing of our friendship, recognizing how we have obviously grown together, but weeping over our separation. I have learned so much about the love and grace of God through them. They continue to teach me what it means to trust God completely. In fact, even this morning God was tutoring me through them.

They are in a time of limbo. Well, let me explain . . . you see, my friends are European. Andre* is French and Verena* is both Swiss and Lebanese. Andre finished a masters level degree in Robotic Engineering and was working in the field of science and technology when he became a Christian. In his quest for understanding he completed a Master's degree in Old Testament Studies at a Catholic University in Switzerland, where he met Verena. During his time in Switzerland Andre began to study various facets of Christendom and was especially drawn to those movements that emphasized a relational spirituality in the Christian life. He sensed a leading, a calling of sorts to come and study among us strange "Wesleyans." That is where our stories intersect.

After studying with us, they actually became a part of our denominational body, recently becoming missionaries for the church. As official missionaries in the Church of the Nazarene they were assigned to develop theological education and pastoral training in the French speaking areas around Rwanda. However, the recent comments by the French investigative judge, Jean Louis Bruguiere, have resulted in a violent backlash and broken diplomatic relations between the two countries. He accused Rwanda's current president, Paul Kagame, of orchestrating the plane crash which killed one of Rwanda's former presidents in April 1994 serving as the catalyst for one of the most horrible genocides in human history. As a result of these comments all French people have been ordered to leave the country.

The tensions in this region have made it impossible for our friends to fulfill their assignment. They will eventually be reassigned, but in the meantime they peer into a fog. They know that God has called them. They see the fruits of His Kingdom through them and all around them. Yet, they are left in a time of waiting. Did God know this would happen? What do they do now after months of preparation seemingly vanished into thin air? How do they pack? When do they leave? Where will they go?

Graciously, they wait for God to show them the way - trusting that He will guide them. They wait knowing that He will come and show them the way.

I really wish that I had that kind of faith - a complete trust in God. Too often I am the one who makes the decisions, and many times I hastily do things without even a prayer. When things get tough I look for solutions, rather than seizing the opportunity to wait on God and to deepen in faith. I'm not sure if you are like me, but I would venture a guess that there are others out there that struggle with impatience and the illusion of control. In this Advent season, may we learn together what it means to wait on God and experience together the joy of salvation that comes to us in the Giving Gift. We may miss it altogether if we don't learn how to wait. Blessings ~ RLS

*I've changed the actual names of our friends for confidentiality reasons.