It was a long time before I got a ref sheet. Money was tight, and I wanted to find just the right artist. I’d gotten a proper job and discovered an artist that I thought would be perfect, and so I got on the waiting list. The queue was slow moving, but I waited. It probably took a year to get to me. I sent out the details for my character and once work began, there were times when I wouldn’t hear anything for a while (commissions were a side hustle for the artist, and she disclaimed to everyone that commissions would not be fast). Every now and again, just when I would think maybe I was forgotten, I would get an update and that would keep me going. I didn’t get the full perfect result, but I could see it coming together. I wanted to see my reference sheet finished, truly I did…but I also wanted it to be right. At any point in the process, I could have been ghosted, the artist could have been in some accident, or she could have decided to drop the project (payment was not required until work was completed). But I hoped I would see it soon and did my best to be patient in the meantime.
I wonder if this is somehow similar to how the Israelites felt as they waited for the promised seed: the one who would crush the serpent’s head.
God sent several people over the years to lead or rescue them. One by one, we see in the scriptures how God would give favor to a man and that man would be used to preserve humanity or the chosen of God. Yet, each one would fail to live righteously. There were these little previews or glimpses of a Savior, but none of them the complete or perfect picture of God himself. And so the Israelites waited. They waited for the one who would finally come and be that perfect second Adam, who could deliver them once and for all from death.
I believe that the Old Testament people who watched for the savior in obedient faith were counted righteous as Abraham was. However, they took this faith with them to their grave. I got my ref sheet, and it was worth the wait, but some of the Israelites died waiting.
We see this used in Hebrews as the author encourages early Christians to watch hopefully and expectantly for the return of Christ.
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
(Hebrews 11:13)
This advent, may we hope for Christ’s return and reflect on those who have come before us to wait, whether for the second coming… or the first. May God grant us hope. It’s not always easy. But just as confession is made, so too is hope given to our souls by the instruction of our mouths.
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