What Child is This? Galatians 4:4-7

My first pastor passed away yesterday. Dave Butts was, among other things (like a friend and former boss), my pastor for many years. I realize that much of my ministry has been shaped by how I saw Dave, Rich Carmicheal, and others live out their callings. As I look at my sermon text for today, I'm reminded of a quality I always appreciated in Dave—his trust in God's timing. Our church used to have attendance folders in every pew, and every Sunday morning, we'd fill out our names, whether or not we were guests or members, and check a box if we desired to be baptized. Every week, I checked "YES" next to "I desire to be baptized." After a few weeks, Dave came to me and asked when I wanted to be baptized. My reply was, "Someday, not right now, but someday." I then asked if I had filled out the form wrong, and he assured me I hadn't. I remember asking, "You're not going to be pushy about this?" He smiled and said, "I'm not the pushy kind." Instead, he would wait until God had prepared the perfect time for me to come to him. Paul writes in Galatians 4:4 -5, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." God sent his Son in his perfect timing. Shouldn't we trust that he continues to do that as he brings Christ into the hearts of the people we love? Our pushing can never draw a heart to Jesus as well as the pull of His Spirit. Today begins Advent; it is a season of anticipation. But we don't anticipate Jesus' arrival in Bethlehem as much as we anticipate his coming to each of us who cry out for his love and forgiveness. So we needn't be pushy but trust that God still works in his perfect timing. It took about three years, but when the fullness of time had come, one cold Friday night in January 1984, I walked into Dave's house and let him know I was ready. He baptized me, and we celebrated with pizza. Dave lived a life of service to the Kingdom of God, and my faith tells me that yesterday, he was welcomed into eternity with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." But I kinda suspect someone muttered under their breath, "Coulda held that one under just a little bit longer, though."