Readings for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Is. 40:21-31

1 Cor. 9:16-27

Mark 1:29-39

Passage to Ponder:         but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 ESV)

Devotion:  I can’t say I know too many people who like to wait, myself included.  Who likes to wait in traffic?  Who likes waiting after a line of cars in the Starbucks drive through?  And these are the easy ones. Who likes to wait to hear back from the doctor’s office for results of lab work?  Who likes to wait for sickness to go away or loved ones to come home after a long separation?  We don’t naturally like to wait, not just because we live in an ‘instant gratification’ culture but because we just can’t stand not being in charge.  We want to be ‘Masters of our own Universe’- He-men and She-ra’s, who believe that we ‘have the Power’ (and the strength) to make all things work for our benefit and in our time.  But we don’t.  And we don’t like it.  We don’t like being told we have to wait. Not for coffee. Not for lab results. Not for loved ones to come home.  We don’t like being told that we grow faint or weary or that we don’t ‘have the power’.  But we must wait because we are not in control or the ‘Masters of our Universe’.  So the question is: how do you wait?  There are two options; the first being that you wait full of anger, resentment, anxiety and fear until you get your way- or- you wait for the LORD, knowing and trusting that He alone is God – Master (and Creator) of the Universe and He alone ‘has the power’ to bring about His way (will).  Just take a look at the cross and the empty tomb- there you will see the LORD’s power displayed for you.  Remember your baptism- there you will be reminded of the LORD’s power worked in you.  Hear His Word and eat and drink His meal- there you will be renewed, refreshed and encouraged with His Power in and for you.  Look forward to ‘Master of the Universe’s’ return and the fullness of His Power displayed as He recreates us and all of creation.  Wait for the LORD.  In His power we find our strength.