Simply Soul Searching

PEACE BRIGHTENS THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY: WALKING IN PEACE

Scripture for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

Luke 1:26-38, 47-55

Romans 16:25-27

These Scripture readings are just a few examples of God’s faithfulness and strength that fill the Bible. In 2 Samuel, when God asks David to make a temple, David is reminded of God’s power and presence in his past, and he is promised the same for his future. In Luke, the angel tells Mary that she too, will be doing something significant. She will be the mother of God’s Son, Jesus! But Mary is assured that God is with her and she need not fear. Psalm 89 and Romans 16 praise our God who is steadfast, faithful, firm, and strong.

Very soon the Dawn of Light will be fully revealed. Just as we know the sun will rise each day and the sun’s power gives us life, through the birth of Jesus we can be certain that God is always present, faithful, and powerful. God gives us life. God’s presence through Christ will be with us; God’s power in Christ will help us. No matter what we face, we can journey on in peace, for we know…

God’s presence + God’s power = God’s peace.

.“Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ.”    ~Sheila Walsh

ADVENT WREATH/CANDLES

Turn off the lights and sit in the darkness for a few minutes…

Reflect on the times in your life that were challenging, heartbreaking, or conflicting. Were you able to feel God’s power and presence with you? Were you able to find peace? Thank God for bringing you through those times. If you are currently undergoing difficult times, ask God for the awareness of God’s steadfast presence and powerful strength. Ask God for peace. If you are currently blessed with a good and peaceful time, ask God to make you an instrument of God’s peace for others.

Light the candles of hope, love, joy and now the candle of peace.

When I was a resident advisor in college, I arranged for the students in my dorm to see the sunrise one morning. Several of us awakened early, walked to the hill across the campus, sat on our blankets, and eagerly awaited the sun. Soon after the scheduled time for the sun to rise, we realized that the clouds prevented us from seeing it at all. I took them to breakfast to make up for the disappointment!

This Advent, we have watched and waited for the Dawn of Light. As our devotions moved us toward the gradual revealing of the sun, God has moved us from our darkness into the Dawn of Light. Now God’s love is being fully revealed in Jesus! I imagine one day when we see Jesus in all his glory, we will feel the warmth of his love and see the brightness of his countenance, much like the full light of day!

Here in our earthly life, we often have clouds. Yet we know the sun is still there, lighting our ways and warming our days. There are even glorious times when openings in the clouds allow sunbeams to shimmer down. In Jesus, we have God-with-us, guiding with light and warming with love. Yes, we may have clouds- clouds of doubt, distraction, or difficulty. But we know the Son is here and gives us reassuring peace. There are even moments when his presence and power are like glorious rays of light beaming through the clouds. We can walk on in peace, feeling Christ’s presence and power for each step of our journey.

God who brings us the Dawn of Light,

Thank you for bringing us to the Dawn! Thank you for Jesus, whose presence and power help us to walk in the light of peace. Please remove any clouds we have created so that we may see you fully revealed. Help us to be your peace. Amen.

WEEK THREE: JOY WITH THE RISING SUN

Radiant Birthday Candles

Ephesians 3:18-21 (NRSV)

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I think that no matter how old we are, at each birthday we are surprised that another year has passed so quickly! We are thankful for another year and all of the blessings we have received during that time. But, if you’re like me, we may wonder just how many cakes and candles we will get to have. With each passing year, the realization that life is short creates an urgency that I need to DO something worthwhile before I leave this earthly life.

These verses bless me, because I am reassured that Christ’s “power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine!” God will use each of us abundantly- we just have to allow God to do so. God will work in us according to God’s purposes- we only have to get out of the way. God’s idea of abundance doesn’t have to mean lots of tasks and lists, but sharing lots of love and care. We will be filled with all the fullness of God, simply by knowing that we are loved deeply and completely. We find joy in knowing that we have been created by God, that God has a purpose for us, and that God’s love within us is all we need in order to live abundantly.

Joy radiates when we allow God’s love to fill us and God’s power to work in us.

WEEK THREE: JOY WITH THE RISING SUN

Radiant Christmas Lights

Isaiah 40:3 (NRSV)

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Do you enjoy all of the preparations and festivities of Advent? I love to decorate with Christmas lights and festive décor, to cook and bake, to find gifts and wrap them, to write Christmas notes, to attend events, and to invite friends and family to our home. Most of all, I love to light the Advent candles and spend special time preparing my heart for Jesus once again. The whole season is a busy but joyous time for me. There is joy in the preparation and the anticipation!

John the Baptist became this one that Isaiah prophesied would prepare the way of the Lord. John urged people to repent and be baptized, to be ready for the One that was to come. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). I wonder if John was filled with joy as he prepared the people, as he anticipated the One who was to come. We know he had his doubts as he later sat in prison and sent word to ask Jesus, “Are you the one?”

The difference for us- and our reason for joy in the preparing and the anticipating- is that we KNOW Jesus came as our Messiah! We know the story, we know how much he loves us. Even as we prepare and anticipate, we are privileged to have the joyful ending already in mind and forever in our hearts. May our joy be as festive as a bright string of Christmas lights!

Joy radiates in our preparation and anticipation of Jesus, and our delight because he has already come.

WEEK THREE: JOY WITH THE RISING SUN

Radiant Fireflies

Psalm 104:24, 31-34 (NRSV)

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom you have made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works—
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the Lord.

One only has to observe nature for a small time to realize how amazing our Creator God is! Even the tiny fireflies… these insects light up the night with chemical reactions in their little bodies, making a wondrous sight. This wonder expands to the myriads of plants, animals, and people; to our amazing world, our immense universe; there is wonder extending forever to infinity. Our own bodies are miraculous, too. Everything had to be perfectly created and balanced for us to even exist. God is our amazing God, who has created all of this out of love for us. This is our reason for joy today.

As we go through our day, let’s be aware of the magnificence of God’s creation. Let’s be wise stewards of all we have been given. May we look upon all of creation with joy and appreciation as sacred gifts from God!

Joy radiates in the wonder and beauty of God’s creation.

WEEK THREE: JOY WITH THE RISING SUN

Radiant Vacancy Sign

John 14:1-3 (NRSV)

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”

When I was a child, our family went on vacations quite often. But in the days before the internet, making hotel reservations in another city was not as easy. We would arrive at our destination for the night, and my parents would begin watching for vacancy signs at the local hotels. My siblings and I were always searching for the hotels with pools! We were disappointed a few times. After long hours in the car, we were eager to find a place to swim and relax. Joy was found in vacancy signs!

Even with the ease of internet reservations, we still have trouble finding rooms, don’t we? Busy schedules leave no room for relaxation or relationships. Hoped-for careers don’t have openings for us. A team or a club has no room for us because we don’t have the right skills or qualifications. Distractions and worries crowd into our thoughts, leaving no room for peace or presence. Even the internet, television and other technological gadgets crowd into any space for quiet solitude. According to the Gospel of Luke, even Mary and Joseph couldn’t find a room for the night Jesus was born!

Jesus speaks such comforting, reassuring words in John 14. There will always be a place for us. Even more, there will be a place that he will actual prepare for us! And Jesus will be with us, too. Isn’t it such a blessing, such a JOY to know that we have a guaranteed, prepared place in his company for all of eternity? There IS a vacancy for every one of us. In the meantime, let’s strive to make room for Jesus, in our hearts and in our homes and in our schedules.

Joy radiates because Jesus has made room for us- now and in eternity.

WEEK THREE: JOY WITH THE RISING SUN

Radiant Fireworks

Luke 2:10 (NRSV)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

We were one of the lucky families who had a backyard view of the Fourth of July fireworks. Every year my parents would host a cookout and our friends would stay until the beautiful fireworks lit up the night sky. Those times were joyful ones for all of us children, as we watched the displays in wonder, fear and awe. We were also delighted for the privilege of being awake past our bedtimes!

Can you imagine how the shepherds felt? As the angel appeared before them, they were terrified! But the angel assured the shepherds that they had no reason to fear, for this news was of “great joy for all the people;” a Savior had been born! As a multitude of angels then gathered to praise God and give God glory, the shepherds surely must have been overwhelmed with wonder, fear and awe…  and joy!

The shepherds’ joy came from this wondrous display of God’s love, but I wonder if their joy also came from the privilege of being awake, of being the ones to witness it all. Shepherds were poor and considered lowly. Yet they heard the words, “those whom he favors” as the angels were addressing them! This display of glory, this assurance of good news, this love for ALL people- these brought the shepherds great joy. We too, know this joy of glorious good news for all people. All of us. How might we share this joyful good news today?

Joy radiates in knowing that the good news of great joy is for ALL the people.

JOY RADIATES WITH THE RISING SUN: WATCHING WITH JOY

Scripture for the Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Psalm 126

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Our scriptures for this Third Sunday of Advent- the week of Joy- show us so many reasons we can be joyful! The first verses of Isaiah are the assuring ones Jesus read in the temple as a young man (Luke 4:21). Isaiah proclaims that we will ‘greatly rejoice’ in the Lord because the poor will receive good news, the captives will be released, the blind will see, and the oppressed will be free. Psalm 126 recalls that God has done great things, so ‘those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.’ 1 Thessalonians encourages us to ‘rejoice always’ as we give thanks in all circumstances. Finally, John 1 tells the story of John the Baptist, who came to testify to the light that was coming- giving the people another reason for joy!

God’s joy given to us in Christ is our focus for this week. Let’s be mindful, let’s be watchful for the joy that is ever present for us, no matter our circumstances. Psalm 16:11 is a good verse to remember this week. “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (NRSV). Always.

“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”   ~ Russel M. Nelson

ADVENT WREATH/CANDLES

Turn off the lights and sit in the darkness for a few minutes…

Think back on some of your more memorable and joyous moments in your life. Was it a person, event, or place that brought you joy? Take a few minutes to thank God for these people and these experiences… Have you ever felt the surprising joy that inexplicably bubbles up during a difficult or sad time? Sit in wonder and gratitude for our God whose presence blesses us with joy in all circumstances. Is joy hard to find these days? Ask God to fill your heart as only God can do.

Light the first candle of hope, the second candle of love, and now the joy candle (often times the joy candle is pink, as a symbol of joy).

Our family spent a wonderful week at the Outer Banks a few summers ago. We made a point to awaken early so we could watch the sunrise on the ocean. These moments will be treasured always; the memories of all of us watching with quiet wonder as the first glimpse of the sun peeked over the horizon. Sunrises are “shining examples” of this amazing world- and our awe for the One who created it.

When I remember these mornings, I find that I treasure our waiting time even more than the first cresting of the sun. Coffees in hand, still wearing pajamas, we sat quietly together in sacred anticipation of the new day. We eagerly watched and waited, fully knowing that the sun would rise. We began our day in gratitude and joy for the fresh start, the clean slate, the opportunity for good, the potential for discovery. And oh, the celebration when the Dawn appeared!

This Advent, we are watching and waiting. But we wait with joy in the assurance that the Dawn has come before, and the promise that the Dawn will come again! We can anticipate with holy joy, for we know that in God’s presence, we will have joy, no matter how the day unfolds. We joyfully recognize that God has brought us through another dark night. And with every tomorrow, we will have yet another new, fresh beginning.

God who brings us the Dawn of Light,

As we watch and wait for your Dawn, thank you for the joy of a fresh beginning for every day and every moment. Work in us during this time of waiting, to transform us into joy-filled disciples. Help us to be aware of the joy we find in your presence, and to share your joy with others. Amen.

WEEK TWO: LOVE AS DAWN DRAWS NEAR

The Glow of the Porch Light

Hebrews 13:2 (NRSV)

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

When we walked into St. John for the first time, Jim and I had just moved from Toledo, so we had no familiar faces to seek out. In addition, Jim had served as a pastor for over twenty years and I had been a youth and education director. This time we had no leadership roles to give us a sense of purpose or to foster friendships. We learned that morning just how important hospitality is.

Thank you, people of St. John, for welcoming us that morning. Your hospitality was graciously shared by friendly greeters and ushers, easy-to-follow bulletins, song words on screens, Welcome Center helpers, a cheerful and comfortable worship space, a welcoming video, uplifting music (and people who lead with joy), Pastor Michael’s warmth and humility, and folks who shared blessings before praying together. We knew we had found our new church home.

But we were blessed even more by what happened after that day. Michael R. invited us to join a Tables of 8 group. Other individuals invited us to check out a Bible study or join the choir. We were asked to dinner by a few couples. Pastor Michael and Candy took time to get to know us. People personally included us to be one with them, to join them in this Body of Christ. THIS is hospitality!

Now that Jim and I are so happy to visit with our new friends on Sunday mornings, we may be neglectful of someone who might be feeling like we once were- a stranger who needs a friend, a person who wants to be included. It is a gift to be in community, but may we all be mindful of keeping our “porch light on” to watch for the new strangers coming to us, who also want to belong to this Body of Christ. Maybe the next ones will be angels!

God’s love glows in our hospitality.

WEEK TWO: LOVE AS DAWN DRAWS NEAR

The Glow of Moonlight

Matthew 5:16 (NRSV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 

My spunky grandson Aidan is humorous and good natured. Not many things get him down, but when life isn’t going as well as he would like, or when people don’t treat him kindly, he begins singing, “Hello darkness my old friend…” We all find this cute and funny, but he does have a point. When life or people seem to be against us, we do feel as if darkness is our only companion. We feel alone and misunderstood. These are the times when a kind, warm-hearted friend is needed!

This week as we consider how we might share the glow of God’s love, the moon has much to teach us. During the dark of night, the moon’s soft glow lights our way without the heat of the midday sun. We know that the moon is not creating its own light but merely reflecting the sunlight. The moon is sharing the light of the sun, and will disappear from view if the sunlight is blocked from it.

When we brighten someone’s darkness with love, we are reflecting the light from Jesus, the Light of the world. We are not the light; we only reflect the light. We know our love would be nothing without the light of Christ. Our good works are meant for helping others and bringing God glory. With the light of Christ, we can be a soft and gentle reflection of light, a tender reminder of the love God has for us all.

God’s love glows when we reflect the light of Christ.