There is a wonderful balance...
Illustration
There is a wonderful balance between patiently waiting for and anticipating Christ's coming again. An American mission team to Brazil was to participate in a Sunday morning worship service. The group arrived promptly at 9:30 a.m. to be ready for the 10 a.m. service. There were several people present to make the usual Sunday morning preparations. As the appointed hour drew near, the pastor seemed very relaxed as the team waited in his study. The hour approached and passed and, still, they waited.
Naturally, they wondered about the congregation. Surely, they must be concerned for the whereabouts of those who were to lead worship. After a 45-minute wait, they moved to the sanctuary. The congregation was just beginning to gather. It was well over an hour beyond the scheduled "start time" before worship began.
The different rhythm of schedule in other parts of the world often frustrates U.S. citizens. But, the mixture of anticipation and patience present in these other locales offers a spirit from which we can learn much, and which perhaps more closely parallels the vision of the church expressed in 2 Peter.
Naturally, they wondered about the congregation. Surely, they must be concerned for the whereabouts of those who were to lead worship. After a 45-minute wait, they moved to the sanctuary. The congregation was just beginning to gather. It was well over an hour beyond the scheduled "start time" before worship began.
The different rhythm of schedule in other parts of the world often frustrates U.S. citizens. But, the mixture of anticipation and patience present in these other locales offers a spirit from which we can learn much, and which perhaps more closely parallels the vision of the church expressed in 2 Peter.
