Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 2:25
We wait for many things. A diagnosis, a job offer, a vacation, a promotion, a visitor and so much more. Waiting in prayer is another form of waiting, one that calls for patience because God’s timing doesn’t always coincide with ours; it calls for trust that what we wait for will be worthwhile; it calls for hopeful expectation that the promises of the Holy One will be fulfilled.

Simeon showed up in the temple day after day, waiting with an open heart. He listened for the presence of God. He noticed the nudges of the divine. He attuned his life to all that was unfolding around him and so “He came in the Spirit into the temple” (v. 27). There he met the Holy One face-to-face.

Loving God, may I recognize and meet you face-to-face throughout this day.

1 John 2:3-11 • Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6 • Luke 2:22-35