Embracing Hope: The Advent Journey of Anticipation
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Liminal Space of Anticipation
In the journey of faith, anticipation is a unique space where hope and fear coexist. This period of waiting is not merely a passive experience but an active engagement with God's promises. It is in this liminal space that believers are called to trust in God's perfect timing, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. The waiting period is an opportunity for hope to take root and flourish, allowing individuals to grow spiritually and deepen their faith. By embracing this time of anticipation, one can learn to rely on God's wisdom and guidance, finding peace amidst the unknown. [27:10]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently waiting on God? How can you actively cultivate hope and trust during this period of anticipation?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Presence in the Incarnation
The incarnation is a profound reminder of God's presence with humanity through Jesus Christ. This event signifies God becoming flesh, dwelling among us, and experiencing life as we do. It is a powerful testament to God's love and commitment to His creation. In recognizing the incarnation, believers are reminded that God is not distant but intimately involved in their daily lives. His presence offers guidance, comfort, and strength in every season. By acknowledging God's presence, individuals can find reassurance and courage to face life's challenges, knowing they are never alone. [28:22]
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily life? What practices can help you cultivate a deeper sense of His guidance and comfort?
Day 3: Living with Hope in the Eschaton
The eschaton, or end times, invites believers to live with hope rather than fear. It is a call to trust in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, knowing that His plans will come to fruition. This perspective encourages individuals to focus on living faithfully in the present, rather than being consumed by anxiety about the future. By embracing hope, believers can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness. The eschaton challenges individuals to align their lives with God's purposes, sharing His love and hope with the world. [39:51]
"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from fear to hope when thinking about the future? How can you actively participate in God's work today, trusting in His ultimate plan?
Day 4: Understanding the Cycles of Endings and Beginnings
Throughout history, humanity has experienced cycles of endings and new beginnings, often marked by significant events and challenges. These cycles serve as reminders that while the exact timing of God's plans may be unknown, believers are called to live with hope and faith. Each ending is an opportunity for a new beginning, a chance to grow and deepen one's relationship with God. By trusting in His guidance, individuals can navigate these transitions with grace and resilience, finding strength in the knowledge that God is at work in their lives. [43:48]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent ending or new beginning in your life. How can you see God's hand at work in this transition, and how can you embrace it with faith and hope?
Day 5: Focusing on God's Work in Our Hearts
The focus of the spiritual journey should be on what God is doing in our hearts and how we can share His hope with the world. Believers are called to live out the Great Commission, making disciples and spreading the message of hope, rather than getting caught up in end-time predictions. By prioritizing God's transformative work within, individuals can become vessels of His love and grace, impacting those around them. This inward focus encourages personal growth and a deeper connection with God, enabling believers to fulfill their purpose and contribute to His kingdom. [46:46]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your heart that God is working on right now? How can you partner with Him in this process and share His hope with others?
Sermon Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound concept of time in relation to God's kingdom and our spiritual journey, particularly through the lens of Advent. Advent, meaning "the arrival," is a season of anticipation, preparation, and reflection on the coming of Christ. This period is not just about looking back at the historical birth of Jesus but also about anticipating His second coming and recognizing His presence in our lives today. We delved into the three modes of time within the Advent journey: anticipation, incarnation, and eschaton. Each of these stages invites us to reflect on different aspects of our faith journey.
Anticipation is a state of waiting, often filled with a mix of hope and fear. It is a liminal space where we are called to trust in God's timing, even when it feels like we are constantly being told "in just a few moments." This waiting period is where hope can truly take root and grow, despite the uncertainties we face. The incarnation, the period when God became flesh in Jesus, reminds us of God's presence with us, a presence that continues to guide and comfort us. Finally, the eschaton, or the end times, challenges us to live with hope rather than fear, trusting in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Throughout history, humanity has experienced cycles of endings and new beginnings, often marked by significant events and challenges. These cycles remind us that while we may not know the exact timing of God's plans, we are called to live faithfully and hopefully in the present. Our focus should be on what God is doing in our hearts and how we can share His hope with the world. As we journey through Advent, let us embrace the waiting, allowing hope to flourish within us and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Have you ever noticed that with time that we tend to measure God against that the God who created time sits in the middle of time sat in the middle of time who is in the middle of the time outside of time. We like to put them into our box of time. God, I need you to answer my prayer like this by three o'clock. That would be fantastic. But we also use time in every other aspect of our lives. We use time to understand music. We use time to measure the value of our work. We use time to contemplate our existence. [00:22:08](52 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Now, Advent, for those who don't know, it just simply means the arrival. When we talk about Advent in church, we're talking about the incarnation, the time when Christ came. That is the buildup. That is what we're pushing towards, towards Christmas Eve where we celebrate the coming of Christ. Coming of Christ as a congregation. And this whole concept of Advent has really been taking shape since the fourth century. Originally started as kind of like a time of holiness preparation, much like Lent, but originally ending in Epiphany. [00:23:24](42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
There are three kind of modes or dispensations of time, if that's the language you like, where we talk about the arrival of Christ inside of the Advent journey. The first one we talk about is going to be this, this time of, of, um, anticipation. Can you put up the slide with the three things? Yeah. So I have given him kind of out of order slides. So I'm going to ask him for things in, but it's not because he's messing up. It's because I messed up. The, the first one is anticipation. The second, then the incarnation and then the eschaton. [00:25:27](45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Anticipation really began with the first at, with the first Christ, with Adam, the fall, the sin that entered the world and immediately needing a savior. Anticipation began. And there's this pro, progression of, both God speaking and great sin, great war and instability that kind of builds through the anticipation phases. And there's a, a word that I think best describes anticipation and that's liminality. That time where you're waiting, you're constantly sitting in this, this piece of time, where you're being told in just a few moments, in just a few moments, but in just a few moments. [00:26:53](60 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)