12012021 – Luke 21. 25-36
There are “so many distractions.”
So “many things” constantly going on…
Sometimes, it seems like “it is hard to stay on top of it all.”
I have lists all over the place…the problem is, sometimes I misplace my lists or accidentally toss them out…never to SEE them again…
(So much for making my lists!)
The point is – we are pulled this way and pulled that way…and a lot of the demands and the expectation, is OUR OWN.
WE DO IT to ourselves. WE PLACE burdens ON ourselves.
And then, at the very same time it is easy to get caught up in the “ho-hum of life…”
As if, somewhere there was an “auto-pilot” or a “cruise control” button that we can engage.
We push it in, and we go through the motions…
Doing what we have to do…
Or doing what WE THINK we HAVE to do. Or feel like – we have to do “these things…” It is expected.
Sometimes as I lay awake in the middle of the night… I think Father, it is so easy to become lax, lazy, and lethargic in “spiritual things. Why is that?
Forgive me when I LOSE MY EDGE and BECOME COMPLACENT.
Forgive me, when I do not put you FIRST and FOREMOST in my MIND and in my THINKING.
Stand up, sit down, sing, pray, creed-time, communion time, final blessing, back into the world again…autopilot stuff. Amen. Cruise control. GONE.
You go home and you have to take out the garbage…dirty job, but HEY, someone’s gotta do it. Autopilot.
Routine.
It is so easy to be remiss or neglectful when there is so much going on…
That’s why I appreciate ADVENT.
It wakes you up.
It shakes you. It startles.
It pours cold water on you and splashes it in your face. It is a rude awakening.
The first week in Advent is surprising…even though you know it is coming…It gets your attention!
In the gospel – Jesus has talked about the destruction of the temple and of the city of Jerusalem.
He has discussed persecution, terrible signs, and signs of his own coming.
Portents in the heavens above and on the earth below…
A shaking of the heavens…
A shaking here on earth…
A shaking of our very foundations…
A return to the waters of chaos…
Then, he concludes with a discourse emphasizing the CERTAINTY OF HIS COMING and admonishes his disciples to BE READY…at all times…and in all places.
I don’t know when Jesus is coming — in my lifetime or maybe perhaps later.
But help me live out “the rest of my life” WATCHING AND PRAYING, living “COURAGEOUSLY AND BOLDLY” for you, that on “that Day” I might stand before the Son of Man without shame.
Help me to stand before you, boldly.
Head up. Looking up. Engaged.
Not sluggish, listless, negligent, or slipshod…but very much IN THE MOMENT. Not caught off guard.
I like that, it is doable. It is something I can handle. It is not intrusive.
I already pray.
I already watch.
What if we step it up a notch and are simply MORE MINDFUL OF OUR PRAYING, MORE MINDFUL OF OUR WATCHING.
I can do that.
You can do that.
Besides, Lord knows we could all use a little bit more of a prayer life.
One that isn’t routine or ho-hum.
One that isn’t listless or lifeless.
A prayer life that is intentional.
There are so many to pray for.
A whole world in need of prayer.
It doesn’t have to take much time.
Prayers for people I do not know.
People I have never met.
People across the globe.
Heck, people in my back yard…
Maybe even in my own family…that I have neglected and have forgotten about…
I know it it’s another “THING.”
Something else to add.
Something else to do.
Another expectation…
And we already watch…
We already check out our surroundings…our environment.
You know, “see something”… “say something”…
We ARE supposed to be watching anyways. Supposing we watch for you, expectantly. Supposing we await your arrival. Supposing we get excited about your coming…Supposing we use this time to get ourselves ready…
Perhaps, Christmas will be a little bit more sweet. A little bit more joyful. A little bit less routine.
Advent cries out, do not just go through the motions…make it be meaningful. Amen.