Advent...this word evokes memories for some of us about candles, Christmas time, church and warm feelings. This year my church is stirring the pot on all of that. What if there was an advent conspiracy? A conspiracy to reconsider how we "do" Christmas; how we spend our time, our resources, our energy; what our focus is? What if we "unplug" from what is not important and "plug into" what truly is. That is what our series is this month, "Unplugged, and the Advent Conspiracy".
My husband and I were asked to share this Sunday for Advent on re-surrender. At first I thought, oh, I have many stories I could share, but God wanted me on my knees before Him in a present, fresh moment of surrender, not sharing an old one.
Once again (I always seem to need new lessons on this) God had called me to Him and Him alone as I laid down and surrendered my security, my goals, my marriage, Extending Hands and all that goes along with the possibility of an uncertain future. I had no idea that I would be on my knees AGAIN, in complete helplessness before God going into this season, but that is where I am. Living a life of uncertainty and having to completely surrender and trust Him regardless of the fact that the circumstances of the future could or could not change. Then, God reminded me that everyone in the Christmas story lived lives of uncertainty as well. They all had their lives turned upside down and inside out as their own futures were dangerously shadowed by the "what ifs" they could have asked. My prayer is that of Mary's words in Luke 1:38- "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. - Mary submitted and surrendered her whole life to God at that moment without knowing if anyone else would stand with her, let alone believe her, including her husband to be. I want to live like that...to accept whatever has been "said" or ordained for me in heaven. To answer "come what may", despite the pit in my stomach, the questions I want to ask, the demands I want to lay out (To make sure God understands my limits!), and the fear and doubt that can grip us. I was given a great quote by my cousin that is worth repeating-Someday I will wrestle with circumstances that are beyond my control; some sort of suffering will pin me to the cold hard ground. When that happens, help me to realize that the victories of heaven are the defeats of the human soul and that my strength is not found in how courageously I struggle, but in how completely I SURRENDER.
So many of us have things we are uncertain about as we head into the New Year. I hope we all can walk in the peace that passes all understanding into an unknown future, yet again. Let us surrender our stuff, our relationships, our jobs, our health, our kids, our marriages, our status and our comfort to the only One who cares. For He and He alone is our resting place.
