What Are You Waiting For?

by: Adam Navis

Children look forward to their birthdays. And not just birthdays: starting school, Halloween, Christmas break, ending school, fireworks on July 4th, and all the small things that children still value and anticipate. One of the sad things about becoming an adult is losing your sense of delight in holidays and celebrations.

Simeon lived with a child’s eager anticipation as he looked for the “consolation of Israel.” While he may not have been as wild as a seven-year-old on his birthday, we understand Simeon’s longing by listening to his words upon seeing Jesus, “my eyes have seen your salvation . . . a light for revelation” (vv. 30, 32). Plus, having seen Jesus, Simeon felt that he could die in peace.

What we look forward to in the future will define our lives today. Children bounce off the walls just thinking about Christmas morning. Simeon lived a life of righteousness and worship. What about us? Do we look into the future and see Christ’s return with the same clarity, excitement, and hope as Simeon did? Do we allow this vision of the future to shape our lives today?