Advent…Active Waiting
“Active waiting means present fully to the moment, in the conviction that something is happening where you are and that you want to be present to it.” ~ Henri Nouwen
For so long, I’ve disliked waiting. But, advent has always been the exception. I love advent! And this year, the Lord is teaching me a lot about waiting in general as I eagerly, actively await the celebration of the Christ child’s birth.
How do you feel about waiting? What does advent teach you about waiting in general? I thought I would share what I’m learning over this advent season, and I’d love to hear from you, too. You are welcome to comment or email me! Here’s what’s coming up:
- Advent – Active Waiting
- Advent – Presence and Waiting – coming December 15, 2011
- Advent – Waiting for the Unknown – coming December 22, 2011
Active Waiting
Several years ago my then 9-year-old niece was attending a yoga class I was teaching the night before we left for a Disney World vacation. I was waxing poetic about how times of waiting are the perfect opportunity to practice yoga poses or breathing. “So the next time you’re in line at the grocery store or waiting for the elevator, try balancing on one foot or a few rounds of deep breathing,” I preached with conviction.
Three days later I realized that at least one of my pupils was listening. While waiting in a rather long line for the Jungle Cruise, I looked over at my niece
and saw her doing some yoga! What a little genius (everyone who agrees with me and does as I say is, after all, a genius)!
About 15 minutes later we took our seats on the Jungle Cruise boat and my niece completed schooled me on waiting. “Aunt Jen, I’m so glad I had time to do those stretches. My legs feel so much better and I think I’ll be better able to enjoy the ride now that I’m more comfortable.”
I didn’t hear any of the skipper’s silly puns that day. I was so blown away by the truth that beautiful 9-year old-reminded me of. Active waiting is preparatory.
For so long, I used the “active” part to distract me from the “waiting” part. I busied myself so I could forget that I didn’t yet have what I was waiting for. Some
of the ways in which I actively waited were certainly more productive than others.
I realized that day on the Jungle Cruise that if I’m not intentional about how I chose to be active in my waiting, I may miss the opportunity for preparation.
So this advent season, I’m praying for wisdom – for me and for you – that we might intentionally chose how we are active, so that our seasons of waiting may be richly preparatory.
