Wait. Wait! Wait?

In the pause, in the gap, in the in-between, in the uncertain, in the unknown, in the light and in the darkness what does it mean to wait?  This week the second Sunday in the season of Epiphany the assigned psalm is Psalm 40. Every time I hear the reference to psalm 40 it takes me back to 1987. 

That year we waited. We waited mostly patiently. We waited in line overnight in the dark and the next day in the light. In those days the only way to get concert tickets was in person. We waited outside in the cold. We waited to purchase tickets to hear U2 in concert in St Paul. We chatted with others who were also waiting. We took turns waiting and mostly waited together. The waiting was absolutely worth it. The Joshua Tree U2 tour was a spiritual experience of being immersed in the music and the words. It was so worth the wait. 

Their song entitled 40 is well known among fans. When I saw the assigned psalm for this Sunday is Psalm 40, I went down the rabbit hole of watching this video of U2 performing 40 at Red Rocks. It was their closing song at that concert just as it was when I heard them in 1987. The crowd stayed to sing-along. That was my experience also a long time ago. The power of singing together. The power of waiting together, wondering if they might emerge for one more encore. And the singing of that question, “how long?”. 

Music is part of my practice these days of taking care of myself so that I can be fueled and fortified for how much heartbreak there is for me in the current political upheaval. To allow the words of Psalm 40 be balm in music and when spoken and prayed. I invite you to consider these words and pray them. I invite you to click on that link to listen to U2 sing some of these words. I encourage you to listen to the music that speaks to your heart. We need our hearts well fortified to fully love God and our neighbors as ourselves. 

Now is the time to love, to serve, to grow. There are important times to wait and important times to act. Listen closely to how God is calling you in particular to love, serve and grow. Let your trust be reserved for God alone. Listen for the Spirit to guide and direct you in when and how to wait and when and how to testify and proclaim God’s goodness. Do this not only in words but in how you live out letting your particular light shine. You and I —we are made for this- to let our lights shine. We are called to go forth into this world and be of good courage. 

Psalm 40 vs 1-11

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

1 

I waited patiently for the Lord;    he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2 

He drew me up from the desolate pit,[a]    out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock,    making my steps secure.

3 

He put a new song in my mouth,    a song of praise to our God.Many will see and fear    and put their trust in the Lord.

4 

Happy are those who make    the Lord their trust,who do not turn to the proud,    to those who go astray after false gods.

5 

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;    none can compare with you.Were I to proclaim and tell of them,    they would be more than can be counted.

6 

Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,    but you have given me an open ear.Burnt offering and sin offering    you have not required.

7 

Then I said, “Here I am;    in the scroll of the book it is written of me.

8 

I delight to do your will, O my God;    your law is within my heart.”

9 

I have told the glad news of deliverance    in the great congregation;see, I have not restrained my lips,    as you know, O Lord.

10 

I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness    from the great congregation.

11 

Do not, O Lord, withhold    your mercy from me;let your steadfast love and your faithfulness    keep me safe forever.