My church had a lessons and carols service last night. What is that? you may ask.

Briefly, it’s a service that’s structured around readings from Old and New Testament passages which talk about the promise of a Savior. It’s something Presbyterian churches (and I’m sure other traditions as well) this time of year.

One of the readings that was done came from Revelation 22. I cried.

I was talking to a couple of friends last night about the utter frustration of the fact that not everything has been made right, that I have friends who still feel the effects of sin…and some who don’t even feel its effects anymore. My heart right now just aches and the tears flow easily.

And I wonder…how long can I keep praying? How long can I keep groaning in anticipation of the new kingdom where all will be made right?

That probably sounds really pie-in-the-sky to some. That’s ok, I guess. Christ has come…and Advent is the time to reflect on his coming and hope in His returning. And this hope is given to us in this passage…one that seldom fails to bring tears to my eyes in frustrated expectation in the future.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

–Revelation 22:1-5, ESV

Come, Lord Jesus…but not before You grant repentance to all of Your people.