I’m Just Too Busy!
When was the last time you heard a friend say, “I’m just too busy!” Maybe you have said it this past week. We live in a world where busyness is the norm. And being too busy seems to be the rule and not the exception. Life can be too busy, especially, during the holiday season. Advent can be a response to such busyness. Advent invites us to pause and consider someone not of this world. He was once of this world, but now he is in heaven. I am speaking of none other than Christ Himself.
The first theme of Advent is hope. Advent would not be possible if it were not for hope. Hope founded on Christ is more than just wishful anticipation. It is a solid conviction that God the Father will do and is capable of doing what He has promised through His son Jesus Christ. “For the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our AMEN to God for his glory.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV) The Apostle Paul prays for the Christians in Rome, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”(Romans 15:11, ESV)
I firmly believe our expression of hope can be far below what God has intended for us to experience. We hope for a pay raise at work. We hope for gas prices to drop. We hope the traffic will somehow lighten up so we can get to work on time. We hope, hope, hope things of this world will change to make our life easier. None of these desires are wrong but such hope is far below how the Bible speaks of hope. Hope in the Bible is founded on certainty not wishful thinking. Hope in Scripture means a strong and confidant expectation of God to act.
Advent turns our hope towards Christ Himself. “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13, ESV) Paul prays that the believers in Ephesus will know the hope to which Christ had called them. And this would only be possible because the eyes of their heart had been opened by the Spirit of God.
What are you hoping for this holiday season? Is it something that will be discarded or forgotten by the end of January 2023? Maybe it is something you have dreamed about or desired for over a long time. I pray your hope to no longer be merely horizontal, focused on things of this world. I pray your hope would be radically vertical, centered on Christ Himself. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
The first theme of Advent is hope. Advent would not be possible if it were not for hope. Hope founded on Christ is more than just wishful anticipation. It is a solid conviction that God the Father will do and is capable of doing what He has promised through His son Jesus Christ. “For the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our AMEN to God for his glory.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV) The Apostle Paul prays for the Christians in Rome, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”(Romans 15:11, ESV)
I firmly believe our expression of hope can be far below what God has intended for us to experience. We hope for a pay raise at work. We hope for gas prices to drop. We hope the traffic will somehow lighten up so we can get to work on time. We hope, hope, hope things of this world will change to make our life easier. None of these desires are wrong but such hope is far below how the Bible speaks of hope. Hope in the Bible is founded on certainty not wishful thinking. Hope in Scripture means a strong and confidant expectation of God to act.
Advent turns our hope towards Christ Himself. “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13, ESV) Paul prays that the believers in Ephesus will know the hope to which Christ had called them. And this would only be possible because the eyes of their heart had been opened by the Spirit of God.
What are you hoping for this holiday season? Is it something that will be discarded or forgotten by the end of January 2023? Maybe it is something you have dreamed about or desired for over a long time. I pray your hope to no longer be merely horizontal, focused on things of this world. I pray your hope would be radically vertical, centered on Christ Himself. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
SCRIPTURES TO READ:
Where is your hope found? The hymn ‘The Solid Rock’ reminds us our hope is a strong confidence in Christ Himself. “My hope is found on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”
You are loved!
Uncle Mike
You are loved!
Uncle Mike
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