I came home to find a bare spot in my front yard. The extent of the gap wasn’t apparent until daylight the following morning. Autumn and the falling leaves always lets a little more light in from each sunrise but this was a new level of illumination. Even the room darkening shades were no match for the brightness. Streams of sunlight flooded around their edges, bouncing off the white trim work and it was as if someone had turned on the lights in the room. I never realized the shading effect of the pines but they were beetle infested, unhealthy, so they had to go.
Clean up continues in the wake of Hurricane Helene in both Carolinas. While we prepare to clear the massive felled hardwoods on our property, it seemed prudent to take out the diseased pines as well. Progress is sometimes messy and it can be costly, but it is necessary nonetheless.
The same is true in our spiritual lives. Our hearts and minds can easily become cluttered with cares we were not intended to carry alone. Our faith may be choked out by a million things vying for our attention. We experience heart sickness and confusion, doubt and fear. We’re buried in emotional baggage, and if left unchecked, our gaze becomes too weighted to keep our focus where it belongs, on the God of the universe. Instead we begin to see the enormity of the waves likes Peter once he stepped out onto the water with Jesus.
That’s exactly what happened to God’s chosen people, the Jews, when the long awaited Messiah came to earth. Roman occupation was stifling. Their lives were not their own. Their homes could be taken without notice. They could be pressed into service by a Roman soldier on their way to market, forced to carry his armor. Their crops were commandeered for the local ruling authorities and some of their own people became the tax collectors. No one was happy with the situation and everyone except the zealots felt powerless to change it.
Enter Jesus.
“For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves.”
Romans 5:6 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.5.6.TPT
We’re not so very different from people in Jesus’s day. We fail to recognize our own lack. We think we would have easily recognized the promised One without a shadow of a doubt. We embrace either love or legalism and we class ourselves by comparison. We’ve convinced ourselves that slavery is no longer a thing, but we still struggle with passions and desires that drive us. Even when we read our Bibles, it’s tempting to filter out anything that seems outdated or taboo and bend God’s Holy Word so as not to stand out too much. We forget that God leveled the field when He made His perfect Son the standard, then proceeded to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to anyone who would receive Him.
“Actually, God considers all of humanity to be prisoners of their unbelief, so that he can unlock our hearts and show his tender mercies to all who come to him.
Who could ever wrap their minds around the riches of God, the depth of his wisdom, and the marvel of his perfect knowledge?
Who could ever explain the wonder of his decisions or search out the mysterious way he carries out his plans?
For out of him, the sustainer of everything, came everything, and now everything finds fulfillment in him.
May all praise and honor be given to him forever! Amen!”
Romans 11:32-33, 36 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.11.36.TPT
“For the perfect Light of Truth was coming into the world and shine upon everyone.
He entered into the world he created, yet the world was unaware.
He came to the people he created — to those who should have received him, but they did not recognize him.”
John 1:9-11 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/jhn.1.9-11.TPT
Like every great King, Jesus’s advent was heralded. His star appeared in the sky to be followed by wise men from the far east, hosts of angels announced His birth to shepherds outside of Bethlehem, and a messenger akin to the prophets of old preached repentance to the masses.
“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!
Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken!””
Isaiah 40:3-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.40.3-5.NLT
Sometimes we hear what we want to hear. Sometimes our decision to act in a certain place or at a particular time is motivated by something unseen, something only hoped for at present. There’s actually an entirely different reason we chose to capitalize on clearing storm damage on a larger scale. Our son and his family want to build a house on land we’ve given them. Their initial plan was to wait a few more years, but they’ve been saving and this spring is looking like a good time to get started.
What I see when I look out across our front yard is a driveway beginning to take shape. I see green grass and some landscaping leading to a lighted front porch. I see my granddaughter, Amelia, waving from the front window like she does when I drive nearly an hour now to visit. I see my son hefting my grandson, Ezra, onto his hip, taking his wife by the hand and striding proudly across the street on Amelia’s heels for dinner. I see the promise in the planning. I look forward to what will be and I’m not bothered by the mess, the setbacks like the never ending rain that delayed the footing for our own home by several months.
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.11.1.NLT
“Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”
Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.
John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.”
Luke 3:3-6, 15-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.3.3-17.NLT
Warnings that are heeded are indeed good. Where are your thoughts this advent season? What plans have you made for celebrating? What storms or setbacks are currently casting shadows over your mood or your mind? Is your heart bursting with joy or aching from absence? What new friendships have you embraced? Are there relationships where forgiveness and reconciliation seem impossible? Does hope, joy, and peace come naturally or with an effort? Where are your thoughts fixed? Who holds your gaze?
““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.8-9.NLT
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.3.1-4.NLT
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Luke 12:34 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.12.34.ESV
“God, everyone sees your goodness, for your tender love is blended into everything you do.
Everything you have made will praise you, fulfilling its purpose.
And all your godly ones will be found bowing before you.
They will tell the world of the lavish splendor of your kingdom and preach about your limitless power.
They will demonstrate for all to see your miracles of might and reveal the glorious majesty of your kingdom.
You are the Lord who reigns over your never-ending kingdom through all the ages of time and eternity!
You are faithful to fulfill every promise you’ve made.
You manifest yourself as kindness in all you do.
Weak and feeble ones you will sustain. Those bent over with burdens of shame you will lift up.
You have captured our attention and the eyes of all look to you.
You give what they hunger for at just the right time.
When you open your generous hand, it’s full of blessings, satisfying the longings of every living thing.
You are fair and righteous in everything you do, and your love is wrapped into all your works.
You draw near to those who call out to you, listening closely, especially when their hearts are true.
Every godly one receives even more than what they ask for. For you hear what their hearts really long for, and you bring them your saving strength.
I will praise you, Lord!
Let everyone everywhere join me in praising the beautiful Lord of holiness from now through eternity!”
Psalms 145:9-19, 21 TPT
A Fitting Reply 