Are you at the end of your rope? Struggling to remain faithful, persevere, stand tall, finish well in the wait? There is hope for you!

In an instant, years of waiting and heartache melted into the distant past. The answer to countless prayers lay before his dimming eyes in the arms of a timid teen mother.

He could contain his joy no longer, rushing as quickly as his veteran legs could carry him to the young couple. With a pleading look the couple interpreted before he arrived, they released their 8-day old infant into his aching arms as he gingerly but exuberantly lifted him to the heavens in praise and thanksgiving.

And (Simeon) took Him in his arms and blessed God saying, “Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.” Luke 2:28-29

A righteous and devout man (Luke 2:25), Simeon waited for what may have been decades to see the long-awaited Messiah before death.

We are not told when the Holy Spirit revealed this intimate visitation; he must have had days of doubt in the wait, but to the end, wait he did. And what a paradox…

Simeon was holding the One who would one day embrace him for all eternity.

One so small and defenseless would one day victoriously conquer sin and death.

With this fresh revelation, was Simeon satiated in hope, so much so nothing could steal his joy—neither Romans or taxes, hardship or death?

And if we are Christ-followers, we’ve had this same hallowed reckoning with our Savior, and, what’s more, His Spirit is abiding with us!

So, the question is, what is stopping us from experiencing the sheer ecstasy Simeon experienced, at any moment?

Could it be us?

Have we become so distracted, focusing on trying to fix our problems ourselves? Or searching for the world’s solutions promising ultimate fulfillment and significance, only to leave us bitter, empty and hopeless. Or could we be sitting in disappointment, like Simeon may have been, in the wait?

What is vying for your attention as the New Year rings in, stealing precious moments away from time spent with your Savior? Have you prayed all year for Jesus to move on your behalf, fix a problem, meet a need, mend a relationship?

Sometimes the dark night of the soul seems too much to bear. I’ve been there for the past few years, along with my family- waiting in the quiet of our pain or uncertainty:

• “You’re in remission!”
• “I hurt you.”
• “Please forgive me.”
• “I’ll protect you.”

What if, in the wait, we press into our Savior? He promises He is with us, for us and will help us.

What can you do this New Year to make sure you experience His love and presence regularly?

Research shows beginnings are the best time to start something new. A new year or month is the perfect time to commit to spending time with Him daily.

Don’t let the lies of the enemy or your own heart draw you away from His sword-pierced side.

Will you join me in praying this week about when and how you can to stay close to His heart in the coming year?

Then:
1. Write it down
2. Tell someone.
3. Do it at least 4-5 times weekly all month. 
4. Give yourself grace when you get distracted, but keep at it.
(Click on links for research relevant for each step)

His constant presence with us is what we need to calm, quiet and restore our anxious souls.

For Simeon, his wait was worth every difficult circumstance and uncertain moment. He stayed focused on the one thing His heart needed, his perseverance culminating in unexpected joy in a moment.

We all will stumble but stay on the path, dear one. It is in His presence you will find what your heart longs for! (Psa.16:11)

“Shall we scorn that God has revealed so little concerning His ways, or rejoice that He has revealed so much?” Gene Edwards, Prisoner in the Third Cell