Waiting — it’s generally not one of our best attributes. Even if we have nothing planned, nothing to do, nothing on the schedule except our TV, the very act of waiting makes for anxiety.
We calm ourselves with smart phones and tweets, as if we are two-legged cats licking themselves to relieve their innocent stress. We inwardly rage against the invisible powers that create lines in the store. We wonder about the injustice, as if it’s our divine right to instant gratification in every nook and corner of life. Yes, we aren’t very skilled at waiting. Ask any poor clerk in an office window — they know more than they wish.
Google did a study and found that even a 200 millisecond delay in getting a search result can be noticed and it seems like we are waiting too long at the screen. When we say we are changing due to our technology, it’s true. Hundreds of generations of Native people lived well looking at the sun in the sky to tell time, and now we are becoming hard wired to notice 200 milliseconds. Time used to be tides flowing in and out, things blooming, fish returning or bears going to den. You don’t impatiently tap your toes waiting for that.
We wait for many things with varying degrees of anxiety. A new direction in governance for our country is coming and that wait isn’t easy for many among us. Not knowing the changes ahead makes waiting difficult and uncertain. Some see hope’s dawn in the days ahead, others see darkness and fog. We need to listen to each other, not gloating or despairing. Patience to see what will happen isn’t easy.
We are in a season of waiting: for the days to stop the forced march into darkness; for family and friends to gather; for Christmas. The season is also a time of advent peace, to light a small candle and wait. When the sky clears, we look up at the stars and their slow dance in the darkness. We look backwards into the speed of light where the distant suns were hundreds of years ago. Yet for us it is the present, light waiting to reach us. No matter what the future, the stars continue.
December is a time when we look for a guiding star for direction and wisdom. Eternal truths of love, respect, compassion, humility and justice. Truth is, waiting with love is really not waiting at all. Vengeance, hate and division all want instant results. That makes for a busy police department. But wisdom? That is a slow lifetime.
As we think of Christmas, take time to let the light reach you. Slow down, relax, and take a deep breath. Think happy thoughts, because the other thoughts aren’t good for you! Wish for the best, work to restrain the worse. Wait for it.
• Mark Peterson is interim pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church.
