Advent Reflection for December 1st, Second Day of Advent Isaiah 40: 3-5, Bryan T. Hooper I have done enough hiking and camping to appreciate the value of level terrain. My wife has a habit of inviting me on “easy hikes that will only take a couple of hours.” Usually, in hour four, I remember that I should have more closely investigated her claims. Often, there is a moment when she looks around, perplexed, and wonders aloud where exactly we are. For my wife, that is part of the joy of the experience. Getting lost in the woods for a few moments is a welcome reprieve from the strict order and time tables of modern life. For me, however, those moments invoke the initial stages of terror. I like to know where the nearest source of water is at all times. The precondition in Isaiah for the glory of God is a leveling of the field. Only after the mountains and hills are low and the rough places smoothed will God appear to us. It seems that it is up to us to make straight the highway for God. Given the current unevenness of our social condition, we should prepare for a long hike indeed. No doubt, along the way, there will be moments when we are lost, uncertain of our direction. We will have to grow comfortable wandering in the woods. Advent is a season of wandering within the wilds of our own souls, in an effort to create a way for God to penetrate our tired, cold hearts. If your soul is like mine, that is some rough terrain to navigate. But as we tear down our interior mountains and level the fields in our soul, we create an opportunity for God’s words to nurture and revive us. Holy God, remove from my heart any barrier to your Word. Plant within me a seed of your Truth, that I might bear fruit of your Kingdom in due time. Make of my soul fertile soil for the planting of your harvest. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:06:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015