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A Prayer about Simeon and the Pace of Grace

Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32

Gracious Jesus, it’s just a few days after Christmas and already many of my neighbors are taking down their lights and trees. It seems like we’re always in a hurry for the next thing. Traffic never moves fast enough, waiters don’t bring our food soon enough, and the mail isn’t delivered quick enough. I’m no exception to this harried and hurried way of doing life. The spirit of entitlement and demandingness is rooted deeply in our hearts.

I guess this is one of the reasons I’m drawn to Simeon, a man who lived at a much slower and focused pace than I do much of the time. We know so little about this “righteous and devout” man, but we do know he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel”—longing for the arrival of the Messiah, craving the day when God would establish his reign on earth. Jesus, though he didn’t know your name, it was you for whom his heart longed.

Eight days after your birth, Simeon took you into his arms. What a most holy and glorious paradox—that you, by whose arms all things have been made and are sustained, that you would rest dependently in the arms of an old man… Whether or not he expected to die soon, the peace that resulted from that embrace changed everything.

Lord Jesus, it’s only because you have embraced me in the gospel that I have the same peace Simeon experienced. For you are God’s promised salvation for Israel, for Gentiles, and for me. In you I have found the consolation which can be found nowhere else. You are my forgiveness, my righteousness, my sanity, my peace, and a whole lot more. Your kingdom has come and your kingdom is coming. I am fully justified in you and will be fully glorified by you. Only your love is better than life and only your love is enough for my desperately needy heart.

As we’re on the verge of beginning a new year and as I, like many others, face a huge transition in life, may your grace set my pace. Slow me down, Jesus. Center me, settle me, focus me. If I’m going to be in a hurry about one thing this year, may it be to linger longer in your presence—to gaze upon your beauty and marinate in your bounty. Everything else will take care of itself. So very Amen I pray, in your mighty and merciful name.

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