Wait for the Dawn

“Wait for the dawn. Let’s wait together for the dawn.” These are the words I felt Jesus speaking to my heart in prayer.

Like poor Job in our First Reading today (Job 7:1-4. 6-7), I was feeling pretty miserable. The drudgery of my life caused me to feel very stuck. And I hate being stuck. During that familiar experience of another restless night, I began to pray. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I related to Jesus what I was experiencing in my heart.

Jesus, I feel so confused.
I know that You are with me,
I know that You love me,
I know that You see clearly
in this darkness that I am experiencing.
But, I don’t understand where You are leading.
You have placed desires deep in my heart,
Yet, I remain here, crying out to You.
I trust that You have a plan.
Please help me,
Please remember me,
Please remain with me.

And in the stillness and silence of that starry summer night five years ago, my broken heart listened to the consoling words of Christ: “Wait for the dawn. Let’s wait together for the dawn.”

And so we remained together in expectant hope. Jesus was with me in the solitude of that night. Our Lord did not suddenly reveal His plan for our future, nor fix every broken part of my heart. Instead, Jesus chose to remain with me in the darkness of my mess. I received Christ’s abiding presence and found rest in Him. I felt completely safe in His care.

Saint Mark shares in today’s Gospel how, “Jesus, rising very early before the dawn, went to a deserted place” (Mark 1:35). Maybe our hearts are this deserted place? Sister, maybe Jesus rises before dawn to bring consolation to your troubled nights?

Christ longs to bring healing to our hearts. Will you wait with Jesus for the dawn? I did, and my life will never be the same.

Christ longs to bring healing to our hearts. // Rose Coleman Click to tweet

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The Lord is in even our most deserted places. Who in your life needs this reminder right now?