Nothing like an encouraging letter from home...
From Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus,6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; 10 and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; 11 and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; 12 and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Reverend Dr. Samuel Wells was Dean of the Duke Chapel for seven years. It was there that he started writing books, two of which I'm reading now. In one, "Learning to Dream Again: Rediscovering the Heart of God" he shares how his mom died while he was still young. As she was dying, she got all things in order to the point where she wrote him a letter and bought him a gift for his 21st birthday. This was some years away and two years before he turned 21, someone broke into their home and stole the letter and the present. To this day he does not know what the letter said. He writes, "Just imagine if that were your story and you really did find that letter many years later. Wouldn't you hold it reverently in two hands, as if blessed by its wondrous existence, its miraculous reappearance in your life after all those years?" This is what Paul is saying about scripture and the role it should play in our lives. It was 'written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope."
How do you read your Bible each day? Is it with this joy and hope as Paul shares in this passage? Does it instruct you to be a better person, living harmoniously with others, glorifying God? Do you welcome all people? Or do you look for the ones you know and are glad to see? As a pastor I'm sad when I see greeters excelling at their jobs at welcoming members and almost ignoring guests. Paul says to welcome in the way that Christ has welcomed us, for that brings glory to God. Christ's life among us was as a servant of truth and confirmation of the promises given to the forebears of our faith.
May our Advent Journey fill us all with joy and peace in our faith so that our hope grows and grows to the point where we can't just keep it to ourselves!
PRAYER: Loving God, may it be so in my life. I want to glorify You and explode with hope and joy. This is my prayer in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
