We need to be thankful for the people in our lives who though, not perfect, are faithful in their walk in the Lord, and to us. We all have our flaws and blind areas. But I think of the few in my life that I can really look up to as brothers and sisters who love me enough in the Lord to hold me to God's truth in life.
Advent is marked along the way by those who from God did not settle for just getting through or surviving. There are remarkable examples of this during the Intertestamental Period- (and I suggest that we Protestants who call these books Apocryphal, rather than Deuterocanonical, dig into these books a little for ourselves, to find the value that is there) of men and women who in faith acted during that time. There are two great examples for us who before their passing were able to see the Promise for themselves: Anna and Simeon- and let's not forget Joseph and Mary themselves.
Advent is for everyone, for those of us weak and struggling in our faith, even for those with no faith- but Advent is God's great and good answer to the faith of those who won't let go of God's promises, and persist to see them fulfilled, in whatever way that may come. There is that human side, even though we know underlying it all is God's grace, without which there would be no remnant of believers or faith in the world left.
This is not in or of ourselves, this faithfulness, but it's in the One who became flesh for us. As we embrace him in faith, we will find that he is the faithful one who will help us to become characterized as truly more and more faithful in his way in this life. And this being true even though we will fail along the way.
We long for this, don't we.
I'm reminded now of the great carol: "O Come All Ye Faithful." What are you reminded of?
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11 comments:
I thought Anna and Simeon were Gospel? I had the nunc dimitis sung at my mother's funeral as I think Simeon's words at so moving.
I won my Christmas pud doing a 10Km race on Saturday. It was very hilly and I did it in an appallingly slow time.
You are never too old to start reading classics although I must say Treasure Island was never one of my favourites. I was scared of Blind Pew. His stick tapped out and people heard him coming. He stuck the Black Spot on them and then something nasty usually happened.
I have just done another posting on old man Maalie with some old pictures. I have just learned to scan and crop!!
What a clever llama!
LtL
i am a bit overcome with the Love that God has for us.
I love the characters Anna and Simeon. They waited. And waited. And waited. And when He came, they bubbled over with joy and praise.
"....for the people in our lives who though, not perfect, are faithful in their walk in the Lord"
How do you find a spiritual mentor and what does that relationship look like?
LtL, Thney are gospel; I'm just a bad writer! Yes, his words are so moving.
I could manage a 10km if they would allow you to walk the whole way while reading a book.
You're right. But I barely have enough time to get to bed and get up again along with just going to work and working through the maelstrom there (on days like today, when we were short with more difficult runs).
I'll have to get to that posting. I had to take an all evening snooze. But it will be good to see your computer skills. That's one thing I don't think I've done yet: scan and crop. Sounds like a nice bit of fun.
Nancy, You and me (sometimes) both.
L.L.,
Yes. Alot of the glory and good can come in the wait, if we just do it in (good) faith. Nice thought. And oh what a wonder for them, when he did come.
Rachel Mc,
A spiritual mentor for me would be someone who you can look up to as an example, but who is a friend. And one who is humble- having gone through alot themselves, including some personal failure- yet who have a living, vibrant and clear faith in God. I can think of a few that could fit that for me, if circumstances would allow that, or if I'd go out of my way to have that relationship with them.
I think in the post more of companions along the way where there can be a mutual, reciprocal relationship. I would prefer this, in the day to day life, to be with one (true with mentor, as well) of my gender, in which I can share freely. Though I do appreciate fellowship with truly godly women I know. And really in a sense fellowship in a kind of loving, caring, reverent community.
But how to find that? I don't know. Reach out slowly in certain ways, and pray. Your mentor or mutual friend will be flawed like you, but really walking or seeking to walk faithfully with God.
Alot of prayer, and take it slow in developing such a friendship, I'd say.
Can anyone add better insight to this? Thanks for the good question, Rachel.
something i read today.
http://towardsimplicity.net/?page_id=925
Rachel,
i'd add too, don't try to force such a relationship. Isn't it interesting how some close relationships seem to happen? There just seems to be a friendship that clicks. But this may not necessarily be like that at first.
I think a key is to find a person who genuinely loves God in their lives, and if such is the case, they will genuinely want to be your friend or be open to helping you, as well. But don't underestimate what your friendship and love can mean for them.
Just a bit more, as I await better wisdom.
Nancy, Thanks, sister.
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