What does it mean to wait in faithfulness?

Advent is a season of waiting. We wait to celebrate Christmas, which is supposed to teach us to wait for the second coming of Christ. The season is a wake-up call, because we naturally wait for everything but the return of Christ. We wait for our paycheck, the fun evening planned for Friday, a vacation, a good night of rest, a chance to get ahead at work—we are constantly longing and preparing for things in front of us, some good and some bad. But Advent reminds us of the ultimate thing worth waiting for, the thing that dwarfs everything else—the return of Christ.
 
Our waiting for Christ’s return is meant to be marked by hope and by faithfulness. It should be marked by hope because it is a sure thing. Just as Christ came once, he will come again. But whenever Jesus spoke of his return, he also called us to wait in faithfulness as well. He wants to return to people who are living faithfully to him.
 
How do we wait in faithfulness? Generally, this does not mean huge, extravagant actions. (Every now and then, we are called to monumental deeds, but not often!) Instead, it means engaging in the ordinary parts of life openly in the presence of God, according to his desires. This is what John called “walking in the light.” That fun Friday evening you are waiting for? Enjoy it in the presence of God, in the way Jesus would enjoy it—he loved meals with friends that were full of truth, love, and joy. That paycheck you are waiting for? Use it in the presence of God, according to the desires of Jesus—he loved to share what he had with those who were hungry and weary.
 
Waiting in faithfulness doesn’t mean a separate set of things; instead, it means doing the things we are given in God’s presence, according to his desires. When Jesus returns, those whom he will find waiting like this will be called “blessed” and “faithful,” and he will call them into the joy of the Father, giving them more and more opportunity and strength in the kingdom of heaven!
 
Steven+