I want to invite all of our "bethechurch.com" authors to post any reflective thoughts or prayers you might have during these days of the Advent season. This morning as I sat down at my table in Donkey Coffee shop I was all alone (the students are all on their long holiday break). I was thanking God for free parking and the wonderful aroma of espresso, and as I was just about to pull from my backpack all of the tasks and "To Do" list items for today the Lord whispered, "Don't forget me today."
It wasn't an audible voice or a supernatural experience. It was mostly just a thought that popped into my mind, but I knew where it came from. At first I was offended. I said (in my mind), "Forget You!? YOU are why I am here. I do all of this for you." But His persistence soon brought me to the place where I knew he wanted me to be. Sure, I have plenty of tasks to accomplish and even scripture to study, which will all be for the glory of God. But He wants ME. Not just my work.
I knew what He wanted. I hadn't read any of the Advent readings for today yet, and I was about to dive into my daily routine. He was reminding me that this is not any ordinary time of the year. This time of year deserves a little extra reflective time, even if it means I get behind in my work.
I had someone ask me, "How do we, today, practically celebrate Advent in today's times with as much fervor as possible?" What they were asking is, if Advent means to anticipate and eagerly long for the coming of the Savior King, then how do we stir up that kind of excitement in our hearts, knowing that he has already come, and knowing what he has already done?
It's a good question. When you know the end of the story it makes a 500-page novel less exciting to read. Here's how I do it. I see Advent as a reminder to SEE JESUS. It's all about King Jesus, who comes to redeem his people. He has come, and He will come again. But even today His presence is here. The Holy Spirit is everything that Jesus promised He would be. He is Jesus Christ's presence in this world... in today's times. So for me, Advent is a season where I try make an extra effort to see Jesus in everything. When adversity hits... what is Jesus doing in this circumstance? When I am blessed by something or someone... what is Jesus saying to me through this? When I am singing songs of praise or writing words of encouragement... what does Jesus think of this?
That's what it's all about. JESUS. If, during the season of Advent, I saw Jesus a little more clearly, then I properly and practically celebrated it in today's times.
Today's epistle (letter to the church) reading for Advent is 2 Peter 1:12-21. I love the language that the ESV (English Standard Version) of the Bible uses. A friend recently turned me on to this word-for-word translation of the Bible, and I must admit that I am liking it a lot. Be encouraged by the words of the apostle Peter as he writes to the Christians he ministered to during his missionary journeys.
2 PETER 1:12-21 (English Standard Version)
[12] Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. [13] I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, [14] since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. [15] And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
[16] For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” [18] we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. [19] And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
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