This post was originally published in Goshen College’s Advent Devotionals. Goshen College students and employees are reflecting on the theme: “What are you waiting for?” from Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada worship resources. Daily online devotionals are available during Advent 2019 at www.goshen.edu/devotions, or you can subscribe to receive them as a daily email.
By Anya Igel, a Goshen College sophomore sign language interpreting major from Estes Park, Colorado
I’m a second year student and part of the Student Ministry Team here at Goshen College. I am studying American Sign Language and theological studies & Christian ministries.
I know I should have started writing this a few days ago. I could blame not starting sooner on the stress of finals week but really it is the good old college student procrastination that did it. I am currently writing this three days after this devotion was due as I sit in Chicago Midway Airport waiting to board my flight home for Christmas break. Instances like this makes me think, “Was it worth the wait?”
Classes are now over for this semester, I have cleaned my dorm and packed for Christmas break. This morning, I drove to Chicago and now have spent the last three hours wandering through the airport looking for affordable food and waiting for my flight to board. Writing this devotion could be just one more thing I have to do before break.
However, this devotion is not just another thing to check off my to-do list. It is not a chore, but a blessing. I have gotten to escape the holiday chaos in the airport to focus on God. I plugged in my headphones to drown out the PA announcements coming from the gate.
I have found God in a place I never would have expected, mainly due to the fact that I waited so long to write this.
Waiting is a time to build expectations, test patience, or even a time to simply enjoy the moment. While this doesn’t necessarily relate to my case right now, patience is a virtue. It gives you this incredible opportunity to better appreciate and cherish the anticipated moment.
I know it can be hard to wait. The days leading up to your birthday, the next break from school, or even the next movie premiere can feel like years. All of these things you count the hours, desperately waiting for the big moment to arrive.
The patience needed to wait can take an extraneous amount of energy, but it will be worth it. Whether it’s waiting to open your Christmas presents, seeing your favorite pet when you go home or simply the next morning you get to sleep in, waiting adds a unique significance and purpose to the event.
I’m not exactly sure this is the etiquette expected from a religious studies student and a Student Ministry Team member, but this is an authentic look into a rambling college student’s life who is simply trying to reach her word count (lol. This is not entirely true of course).
This may not be a sufficient introduction to this weeks theme. Now an hour later, I have purchased an extremely overpriced sandwich, am surrounded by 200 other people who are about to board the same flight as me, and have spent some time mentally preparing to spend the next month with my family. But, I have completed my devotion and have patiently been waiting for the last four and a half hours to board my flight. Trust me, it was worth the wait.