Active Anticipation: The Soul's Journey Through Time
Waiting is not mere idle inaction, as it occurs within the soul and requires the active engagement of inner strength and patience to maintain hope for the future and to learn lessons from the past. The soul does not simply await the advent of something; it actively perceives the present, remembers the past, and at the same time is ready to embrace the future. As stated in the reflection: "It both waits, heeds, and remembers: that which it waits for passes through what it heeds, and goes away to that which it recalls. … But within the soul there is an anticipation of the future" (source: link txt, page: 16). This emphasizes that waiting is a dynamic process, where the mind and heart constantly work together, imbuing every moment with significance.Moreover, active waiting requires patience because properly realizing one’s intentions or receiving the awaited blessing is possible only through unwavering faith and steadfast perseverance. As another source states: "We seek not present glory, but future ... Although we do not see it, we hope and wait with patience (Rom.8:24-25). Therefore, waiting and patience are necessary to fulfill what we have begun..." (source: link txt, page: 5). This clearly shows that waiting involves active striving and continuous internal effort, making it a dynamic process distinct from passive inaction.Thus, the process of waiting is viewed as active, as it demands constant inner work, perseverance, and qualities that enable one to effectively integrate the past, present, and future, transforming waiting into a movement toward achieving lofty goals. It is an active state in which patience and inner strength play a key role in maintaining internal balance and readiness for change.