Amazing God, bless and watch over the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
The passage for today comes from the prophet Isaiah 35: 1 Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower - 2 bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon - a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon - gifts. God's resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic. 3 Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. 4 Tell fearful souls, "Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He's on his way! He'll save you!" 5 Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, 6 Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. 7 Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly. 8 There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It's for God's people exclusively - impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. 9 No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals - Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening. Only the redeemed will walk on it. 10 The people God has ransomed will come back on this road. They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night. (The Message)
One news article in the newspaper stuck out, though hidden from major news; yesterday was the last day of hurricane season. It gave the count of hurricanes we had and some other information about this season, but I rejoiced at the news. This passage this morning reminded me of one of the most difficult and still vivid days in my life; the exodus from Houston to all points west prior to the coming of Hurricane Rita. It was a nightmare that I thought would never end for my family and I. My wife had gone to Galveston to help our daughter, Sarai, pack and then drive from the island to our then home, San Marcos, TX. My college ministry coordinator, Matthew Kacal and I had driven Nellie to Galveston and Matt and I loaded up big items in a trailer hooked up to our vehicle and brought those easily on Monday night. Nellie and Sarai waited until the last possible minute to leave because Sarai was worried about Eric, then a Galveston police officer, who had been ordered to stay on the island. Sarai wanted to stay, but Mom knew better. Nellie was scheduled for surgery that coming Friday and so, they had to come to San Marcos.
A very long story short, Kit Tomlinson, then our youth minister at the church, and myself left San Marcos at about 9 a.m. to await Nellie and Sarai's arrival close to town. As soon as we got to Interstate 10, we knew it was going to be a long wait. Kit decided we needed to try and find them because the traffic was on both sides of the freeway moving as fast as a parking lot. The images of that scene are reflected in today's passage. This was made more biblical as night fell. We could see the hurt and need for what verses 4 on share: 4 Tell fearful souls, "Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He's on his way! He'll save you!" It wasn't until late that night that we found them at a gas station just outside of Katy, Texas. Kit had found or made highways to get there and while others were not moving, in his enchildada red Pathfinder, we found roads and ways to move around the traffic. God even provided gasoline to us when we were just about out; when no one else had any.
Advent is just like that; the busyness of life seems so crowded and ready for anything except the coming of the Lord. The pressures and demands of life make life seem like a desert, barren and hot and with little to nothing alive let alone blooming. But when we least expect it and God brings it, things change and come to life! So, let it be with your soul today. Stop long enough to breathe deeply and say, "Yes, Lord!" to whatever is coming that is good for your life.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for being with me during this day. May this Advent Journey remind me of what can be for my life and my needs. Help me to be like those who can sing in the midst of a nonending buzz of mindless activity. May my song be a song of Your love; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
