Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Our lessons for
today are full of apocalyptic images – the heavens torn open, the mountains
quake, the sun turning dark, the moon without light, stars falling from the
heavens all speak of the end of time.
Yet even amid of these
images of destruction, our lesson from Isaiah ends with “you are the potter, we
are the clay, the work on your hand.”
This is a reminder that God created us and is intimately involved in our
life. A potter molds and forms each
piece, and sometimes he crumbles it up and starts over to remake that which will
be good, useful or beautiful. He glazes
it and fires it to make it strong. God's presence and involvement in our life is the sign of his faithfulness
So even though we do
things in this life that God disapproves of, he is faithful to guide us back into
his presence, and through his son, Jesus Christ we are redeemed, forgiven and
restored. So this Advent, be watchful - keep alert to His presence, and seek opportunities to serve him in this world.
Lord, open my eyes that I might see you as you are present in my life and to proclaim your coming to a world in need of your love and mercy. Amen.