Yesterday marks the beginning of the Advent season — a time of anticipation, preparation, and waiting. Advent is a word that comes from the Latin “adventus,” meaning “coming.” It is a time for Christians to reflect on the first coming of Jesus Christ, born as a baby in Bethlehem, and a time for us to look forward to His second coming.
As we enter this season, we are reminded that waiting is a crucial part of the Christian journey. Just as the Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, we too find ourselves in a season of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
And it’s not always an easy season to be in. The waiting can sometimes feel long, painful, and uncertain. There are moments in our lives when we may find ourselves questioning, wondering, and even doubting — “How long, Lord?” We can relate to the Israelites who waited centuries for the Messiah to come. They faced hardship, disappointment, and confusion, but God’s timing was perfect.
Today, we will explore what it means to wait with hope and expectation. Just as the Israelites waited for their promised Savior, we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives, trusting that He is always faithful. Our waiting is never in vain, for He is always working, even when we don’t see it.
As we move through this season of Advent, I invite you to consider: What are you waiting for? What are the areas of your life where you long to see God’s work? And how can you wait with hope, trusting in His perfect plan?

The Tale of the Bamboo and the Oak
On the edge of a lush forest, two trees stood side by side—a proud young oak tree and a little bamboo sprout just peeking above the soil.
The oak swayed its leafy branches in the wind and looked down at the bamboo with a chuckle.
“Is that all you’ve got?” the oak said. “I’ve grown so tall already, and you’re still just a tiny green twig. Why even bother?”
The bamboo remained silent but kept absorbing the sunlight, rain, and nutrients it needed. Day after day, the oak grew taller, its branches spreading wide, while the bamboo barely seemed to grow at all.
Years passed, and the oak became even more boastful. “Look at me!” it bragged. “I provide shade, shelter, and beauty. And you? You’re still nothing. What a waste of space!”
The bamboo finally replied, “I may not seem like much now, but I am growing—just not in the way you see.”
The oak sneered. “Growing? All I see is the same tiny sprout. Face it—you’ll never be like me!”


Then, in the fifth year, something incredible happened. The bamboo suddenly shot up, growing taller and taller each day. In just a few weeks, it towered over the oak, its slim but sturdy stalk reaching for the sky.
The oak was stunned. “How is this possible?” it stammered. “How did you grow so fast?”
The bamboo swayed gently in the wind and said, “For years, I was growing my roots deep underground, building a foundation strong enough to support my height. While you were boasting about your size, I was preparing for my moment. Now, I have grown not just tall but strong, with roots that will hold me steady no matter the storm.”
The oak fell silent, humbled by the bamboo’s wisdom. It realized that growth is not just about what can be seen but about the unseen preparation that happens beneath the surface.
Before we dive into today’s message, let me ask you to reflect for a moment:

What season are you in?


Are you currently facing:

  1. A health crisis?
  2. A relationship struggle?
  3. Feeling exhausted or overwhelmed?
  4. Stuck in your career?
  5. Grieving or dealing with loss?
  6. Financial struggles?
    We all go through seasons of waiting. Some of us have come through them, while others are still in the waiting. Today, we’ll explore what God might be doing during this season of waiting.

What are some common emotions we go through in the season of waiting?

  1. Frustration: Feeling Frustrated with lack of progress or results
  2. Impatience: A strong desire for things to happen sooner, a feeling of restlessness
  3. Doubt: Questioning whether things will ever improve of if God is still working on your behalf
  4. Loneliness: Feeling isolated as if you are alone in this journey
  5. Fear: Anxiety about what the future holds
    Season of waiting can stir up many different emotions and its common to experience a mix of them at different times.

How can you get through this season of waiting?
Key Passage
Jeremiah 17:7-8
V7. But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence
V8. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water,
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

  1. Stay rooted in God
    Like the tree planted by the water, we need to anchor ourselves in God’s Word, prayer and worship. These are our streams of living water.
    Trust in the Lord
    V7: But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
    Anchor your life in God
    Just as the tree depends on water, we must stay connected to God through prayer, scripture, and worship. God equips us for hopeless situation. Enemy will lie, make us doubt ourselves, exploit weakness.
  2. Embrace the waiting season
    Trust that God is working beneath the surface. He is growing your faith, strengthening your character, and preparing you for fruitfulness.
    V8. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water,
    Such tress is not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
    Like the bamboo’s deep roots, the person who trusts in God is rooted in His Word and presence. This foundation sustains us through challenges and dry seasons.
    Isaiah 64:4 NLT
    For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
    Don’t fear delays
    Seasons of waiting are opportunities for unseen growth, like the bamboo’s roots. The Bamboo teaches us that waiting is not wasted time. While growth may not always be visible, it is essential for building a strong foundation.
  3. Bear fruit in God’s time
    Don’t compare your growth to others. God has a unique plan for you, and your season of fruitfulness will come when you’re ready.
    The oak may have grown quickly, but its roots were shallow. The bamboo’s preparation allowed it to thrive.
    Similarly, when our trust is in God, we can remain green and fruitful, no matter what difficulties come our way.

Bamboo’s story
• The bamboo’s years of unseen root growth reflect the trust and preparation that Jeremiah 17:8 speaks of.
• The oak tree, which grows quickly but lacks the same foundation, contrasts the deep-rooted faith of the bamboo.
• Trusting God allows us to grow in seasons of waiting so that, when the time comes, we can withstand challenges and flourish.
“Some of you may find yourselves in what feels like a long, dark Saturday. Perhaps you’ve been waiting for a breakthrough in your health, your relationships, your career, or your dreams. It might feel like you’re in a holding pattern with no end in sight. But I want to remind you today: Sunday is coming.
We know that on Good Friday, it looked like all hope was lost. Jesus, the Savior, was crucified. The disciples were devastated, hiding, uncertain of what the future held. But that wasn’t the end of the story. Three days later, on Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. Sunday brought victory, hope, and resurrection.
If you are in the middle of your own season of waiting, feeling like it’s your Saturday, don’t give up. Trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when you can’t see it. Just as Jesus’ resurrection was certain, your Sunday is coming.
So, even in your waiting, hold on. The promises of God are true. What you might feel as a season of defeat or silence is actually a time of preparation. God is doing something beautiful, even when you can’t see it yet. Just like Jesus, your Sunday of victory, breakthrough, and new beginnings is on the horizon.”

Reflection
• As we enter this Advent season, let’s reflect on the example of the bamboo and the truth of Jeremiah 17:7-8.
• Advent is not just about waiting – it’s about hopeful waiting, sustained by trust in God’s promises
• Waiting can feel frustrating, but God is preparing you for something greater.
• Trust in Him, stay rooted, and believe that in His perfect time, your life will bear fruit that glorifies Him.

As Christians, we are not only waiting for breakthroughs in our lives, but we are also waiting in eager anticipation for the Second Coming of Christ. Just as Advent marks the beginning of a season of waiting and hope, we are reminded that our ultimate hope lies in the return of our Savior. In this season of Advent, let us remember that while we wait, we do so with faith and expectation, knowing that God’s timing is perfect, and that Sunday is coming—not just in our personal struggles, but in the glorious return of Christ. Until then, we wait with hope, trusting that His promises will be fulfilled.”