A couple of years ago, I was doing some Christmas shopping at Kohl’s. Items in hand, I headed toward the front of the store—only to discover that the checkout line began there, zig zagged through several aisles, and finally stopped at the back of the store. I found a kind associate holding a sign that read, “Line Starts Here,” and got in place.

A few minutes passed. The line crept forward—barely. More time passed, and I found myself in the middle: people in front of me, people behind me, and the nice associate with the sign nowhere in sight. All I could do was wait.

Waiting is something most of us don’t enjoy.
We wait to pay.
We wait at the doctor’s office.
We wait for answers, results, and relief.

Add stress or anxiety, and waiting somehow feels even longer. It’s simply a part of life—one we can’t avoid.

Waiting in the Bible: Simeon and Anna

Luke 2 introduces us to two faithful believers who understood waiting better than most: Simeon and Anna. They spent years—decades—anticipating the arrival of the Messiah.

• Simeon, described as an elderly man, had likely been waiting for many years to see the promised Christ.
• Anna, at 84 years old, had been coming to the temple daily for roughly 60 years, praying and watching for the Redeemer.

Sixty years of routine. Sixty years of worship. Sixty years of expectation.
They were masters at waiting—faithfully, consistently, and with hope.

Activity Behind the Scenes

When I finally reached the front of the line at Kohl’s, I discovered a beehive of activity: four cashiers, four associates bagging items, others running back and forth replacing damaged merchandise, and another worker dividing the line for smoother checkout.
So much was happening that I never saw from the back or middle of the line.

In the same way, Simeon and Anna had no idea what God was orchestrating behind the scenes as they waited. Enemy nations were conquered. Roads were built. Seasons of peace were established. Hearts were prepared. Every detail aligned perfectly for Jesus’ birth—fulfilling Scripture with precision.

From a human perspective, God seemed silent.
From heaven’s perspective, He was hard at work.

Could It Be the Same for Us?

Simeon and Anna didn’t know how close they were to the answer. They only waited faithfully and hopefully—trusting God’s timing.

And maybe… that’s exactly what we need to do.

Could God be working behind the scenes right now?
Could the answer simply require a little more waiting?
Could the breakthrough be closer than we think?

When everything is ready and the timing is right, God will move.
The prayer will be answered.
The change will come.
The door will open.
The blessing will arrive.

Worth The Wait

Simeon and Anna spent a lifetime waiting, and in the end, they were blessed to see Jesus with their own eyes. Their blessing was worth the wait.

And so will ours be.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11

If this encouraged you, please share it—someone else might need the reminder that God is working even when the wait feels long.