Peace comes to those who wait

Archilochus-alexandri-003Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

I was once Simeon.

Caught up in a world of distractions, chasing after things that did not matter.

Waiting for the sign … longing for the light.

It’s not that I had no faith at all. It’s just that I had boxed myself into a life of busy-ness, where it seemed unlikely – even impossible – that God would care enough to reach out to a man too busy chasing the wrong dreams.

I remember the day vividly.

I had just read a book … it was one of those historic fictions, where the author took the Bible and rewrote it in the style of a good novel.

I was fascinated. I’d never truly delved into the depths of the big picture … you know, the BIG PICTURE of our salvation.

I remember reading those final pages on my back patio. I closed the book, laid it on my lap and looked to the sky.

Is this really true, Lord? Is this really something I can believe?

At that moment, my “Simeon sign” came to me in the form of a hummingbird – a tiny little bird that typically zips by so fast that the human eye can barely glimpse.

On this day – at the very moment I was seeking the light of my own salvation – God sent this little bird to me. It flew right into my personal space, floating mere inches from my eyes.

It lingered there for what seemed an eternity.

I could barely breathe.

So many times I had asked God for a sign in my life. Usually it was during a time of desperation or guilt or anger. And so many times that sign had not come.

But on this day, after I had invested so many hours unlocking His plan through the pages of that book, I suppose God felt I was finally ready.

I had waited long enough.

He sent me the comfort I needed at that very moment.

Of course, He had no doubt tried before. He had always been there, sending signs in my direction.

It was I that had not been ready – unwilling, perhaps – to pick up on those signs.

Until that day …

Are you searching? Are you asking? Is your heart ready to see the light?

I pray that God will one day send you a hummingbird … and that you will not be so busy as to miss it.

About the Author

Dan McFeely is a Carmel, Indiana, writer, communications business owner, book editor and a former professional journalist. Dan also works as an Adult Faith Formation Minister, currently serving as a spiritual director for the men's and women's Christ Renews His Parish program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Carmel. He is a graduate of the Ecclesial Lay Ministry program offered by the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana and has studied theology at Marian University.

Author Archive Page

7 Comments

  1. I wish for my own signs. I wish for my mind’s eyes to be opened that I may vividly see God’s plans for me. I’m troubled, distracted, confused, mixed up with my own desires. I need a moment of peace, reconciliation and soberness. I need Christ in me. Father let me not perish. This your son ask from thee.

  2. Thanks for the inspiring Message ;)))))))) You inspired me a lot :))) God sent me this message through you:)) God bless and may you keep on writing very inspiring words that helps us Thank you 🙂

  3. Touching story. What was the name of the book that you were reading? I had a similar response after reading a series of books the Catholic Church severely criticized, yet the experience strengthened my Catholic faith.

  4. Thank you for this inspiring meditation. So many people when hearing today’s Gospel, focus on Simeon’s prophesy and its impact on Mary — another confirmation of her young son’s destiny and His terrible death yet to come. We often assume her sadness upon hearing it. I appreciate that you took a different approach and pointed out the PEACE Simeon must surely have felt. His joy! It was a great reminder of how God is always working in our lives even when we don’t fully understand and a reminder to always look deeper.

  5. it encourage my heart that always have faith never forget God he care love he keep insisting to give chance in our heart to taste his goodness

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published.