Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3 NLT)

    There was mail in the box, but it was not the mail I wanted to see. There were bills, there were sale papers, there were thank you notes and invitations, there were so many “You’ve been approved” credit card applications that I could buy a mansion on the beach if I so desired. But, the piece of mail that I wanted to see in my mailbox was not there.

    I had faith that the piece of mail I wanted to see would come, because it always comes. Without fail, every year on my birthday a card arrives. Nothing fancy. No money inside. Just a simple note reminding me that I’m getting older and assuring me that I am loved. But, for some reason, this year it was late. The day before my birthday, no card. The day of my birthday, no card. The day after my birthday, no card. Two days later, no card. Three days, then four days, and five days after my birthday, still no card.

    When you are expecting to hear from someone you love, every passing minute seems like an eternity. The phone call from your daughter letting you know she arrived home safely. The message from your friend assuring you that the surgery went well. The call from your brother letting you know, “It’s a boy!” The invitation to the party that you hoped for. The long awaited call saying, “You have the job!”

The mail finally came. What a message it was!

    Waiting for a word from a loved one is difficult even if it is only a short wait. But imagine waiting four hundred years to hear from someone you loved. That’s what the people of God had to endure as they waited to hear another word from God. Someone recently suggested that the blank page in our Bibles separating the Old Testament from the New Testament is symbolic of those four hundred years of silence. No prophet. Not tablets. No cloud of fire. No manna. No sign from heaven. Only silence. They waited.

    Then, the silence was broken. The mail finally came. What a message it was! After four hundred years of silence God sent the living Word. After four centuries with no communication God says, “I love you. This is how much I love you. See my Son? He is my message of love to you and to all people. Receive Him. Love Him. Follow Him. Embrace His teaching. Life is in Him.” What a way to break the silence!

    Maybe you are looking for a message from someone who loves you. Maybe you are waiting for a special word. The message has been delivered. It is in your box waiting for you to open and read. “God loves you.” He wants you to understand that He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for your sins. He wants you to know Him. He wants you to live like you know that He loves you. No matter what you have done or have not done. No matter how unlovable you may feel. He loves you. The mail you have longed to receive has been delivered. The wait is over.

    Oh, my birthday card? It came. Six days after my birthday. I was relieved. I’m still loved.

    Your mail is waiting!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. (John 3:16-17 NLT)

© 2002, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!

Title: "Waiting for Mail"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: March 27, 2002

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