If you are new to the season of Advent, I hope you’ll join me on this journey of waiting. Advent is a season that is observed in many Christian denominations, expressions and churches.
Observing Advent means to prepare our hearts for the coming Jesus. Advent is a season of waiting.
In other words, Advent is the really good stuff of life.
Advent is the filet mignon side of the T-bone steak, the Tootsie Roll at the center of a Tootsie Pop, the coffee mug silently warming our hands on an early morning while we wait for others to awaken.
Advent is the waiting, the expectation.
The really good stuff of life, the rich marrow,
is found in our velvety longings.
There’s a mysterious alchemy that lies in the pursuit that brings us our greatest joys.
We are usually happiest just before the the touchdown pass is caught.
We are most truly fishing when our hundredth cast hasn’t splashed, the lure flying with potential.
He is never more naked and in love than during the risky silence between his marriage question and her “Yes!” – and she is never more smitten than in the space between his question mark and her answer she hopes could somehow wrap up and gift to him all the swirling fear, excitement, faith, and potential she is feeling.
Sometimes all we can muster in response to this kind of pursuit mixed with longing is “yes.”
But the “yes” happens before the ball is thrown, the lure casted, and the question is even popped.
Psalm 23:6 English Standard Version (ESV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God never stops pursuing us with His love, even as we dwell with Him, even after He’s won our hearts.
During this Advent season where we expectantly wait for Jesus to come, I invite you to explore with me this theme of a Love that never stops coming.
We’ll explore those areas of our lives where we are waiting, expectantly, for something – anything – to happen. Some of our areas of waiting will be filled with hope and anticipation, others may come with a sense of defeat or paralysis. Either way, it’s in our longings and expectations that we’ll find life.
And during this season of waiting, we’ll surely discover areas of our life where we are the ones pursuing, where God has invited us to step into some new places with Him.
I’ll have reflections each day starting Sunday through Christmas Eve.
I hope you’ll join me.
Note: You can sign up to have these reflections sent to your email via the form on the upper left of this page.
For Reflection
Between now and Sunday, spend some time prayerfully meditating on Psalm 23:6. As you reflect on your life, how has God followed you with goodness and mercy? In what areas do you sense Him pursuing you today?
What are you most waiting for in His coming? Do you need to say “yes” to His coming even now before He comes? Consider journaling what God gives you.
You may want to consider making your own Advent Calendar, lighting an Advent wreath, or starting some other new Advent tradition. There are a wealth of resources and suggestions online.
