Remembering God's Work this Advent Season

This past Sunday, while I was leading worship at Bow Down, our Sunday morning service, I encouraged everyone to think about why God deserved their praise.  Personally, I didn't think of something really concrete right away.  Shortly after that, I saw the mother of one of the kids in my group slip in the back.  That became my "happy thought."  I was really glad to see her there.

Unfortunately, we can forget that God is working out a good story all around and through us.  This month we're doing what I think is a really cool Advent activity with the children at UYI.  The Jesse Tree counts down to Christmas through Bible stories.  Each day we read a passage and a child hangs a corresponding ornament on the tree to remind us that God has been at work for a long time.

It's amazing how many of the stories do not go smoothly.  God doesn't just snap his fingers and solve everything.  Just pick a story: Joseph and his brothers, Moses, or David (or any king for that matter) and read a little bit.  You'll quickly see that God's work with human beings is messy.  While there is frequently a happy ending, the journey to get there is not always happy.

If you find yourself forgetting that God is at work, go back to one of these stories in the Bible and imagine how that person felt.  They may have forgotten as well, but God was at work.  He was working out a happy ending for Joseph whose brothers turned on him.  He was at work when Moses' mother had to part with her baby.  He was up to something good when he decided to let the people have a king.

A lot of people do some reflecting at this time of year.  I encourage you to reflect on what God has done for you and those you care about and his promise for a happy ending.

-- John O'Hara is a Leadership Academy Mentor     

Comments

[Stephen Ley]

This is a great word. It's wonderful that you are getting your kids thinking about Advent. Too often all of the focus is on Christmas Day (opening presents, big dinner, etc.) which inevitably leads to a big letdown the day after. Entering into the drama of Advent reminds us that we are part of a story bigger than ourselves and prepares our hearts for the gift of the Incarnation.