The day when Christ comes again will come upon us at an unknown time, but it will come. Jesus urges us to stay awake and pray for strength, especially now! We have less than four weeks of Advent before Christmas this year—this is a time of expectation, dynamic waiting, and preparation for Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem and Christ’s second coming. We are warned about being sidetracked. Let us put
prayer and service at the top of our priority list.
Jesus says that we are to “hold our ground before” or “stand before” (in other translations) the Son of man. We do not need to be afraid of our loving, compassionate God. For a moment, stop and be open to the God who is always present. Be aware that God is real. God is longing to be in a relationship with you. Look at how God is looking at you. Stay in God’s presence. Listen to what
God says to you. See how God reaches out to you. What is the expression on God’s face? How will you respond to our God?
Let us be open and receptive to the gifts God longs to give us. God initiates relationships. We only have to desire the gifts in the depths of who we are to receive them. Our superficial desires and wants make us avoid the wisdom of God within us. God is within us, among us and in all things. We are not separate
from God. We can just be unaware of God within us as we try to survive in the noise and rush of society today. Let us, this Advent, pause and open ourselves wholly to God, who loves us beyond measure. Here, we will come to a sense of the fullness of who we are. Let us live from this place, and we will find God, who lives in and through us.
Is God real for me?
Am I ready to say ‘yes’ to
God?
How do I open my eyes, hands and heart to God?
What am I prepared to be and do this Advent in preparation for the coming of Jesus in my heart?
Reflections by Kath Knowles
