Dear Fellow Children of God,
We are in the dark days in Alaska; December is upon
us. While I know people who prefer the
snow and outdoor recreation opportunities of winter in Alaska, I know of few
who prefer the darkness of winter to the light of summer. We all know how darkness points to the pain
and evil in life. But, experiencing
darkness is more than just symbolism.
There is a way that darkness can be oppressive and sap the energy and hope
from a person.
Unfortunately, Alaska experiences darkness in many sad forms. We have some of the highest rates of substance
abuse, suicide, and domestic violence of any state in the country. These activities are not just someone’s idea
of what is wrong. Such self-destructive
actions hurt the individual and others around them. And, such actions shout out that someone may
be discouraged, depressed, or has lost hope.
What causes someone to lose hope?
These are obviously complex problems, but I expect that the darkness
contributes.
After
last month’s election I had someone sit down with me and ask, “Jonathan, tell
me som good news.” He was
discouraged. What causes discouragement
in your life? I have recently heard
discouragement from individuals because of terminal illness. I’ve heard people who are discouraged because
of significant financial difficulties. I
have heard discouragement and loss of hope from people because of family
troubles. When life brings pain and disappointment
and loss that seems beyond your control, have you sometimes lost hope?
This
Sunday, however, is the beginning of a season of hope, hope because the love of
God is breaking into our world of darkness through God’s Son, Jesus. The word Advent means ‘coming.’ The church season of Advent, which begins
this Sunday, reminds us that God has come and is coming.
To a
world that seems to descend more and more into conflict and decay, the King of
Righteousness is coming as Judge and Savior.
To people who face illness and uncertainty, the sure love of God comes
in Jesus. To children who don’t know the
security of a loving family or a warm bed, God assures eternal love in Jesus. To people whose mistakes and sins cause them
to lose sleep over their regret, Jesus comes in forgiveness. To a world of people who can be discouraged,
frustrated, or depressed, Jesus is hope!
No
one really knows the actual date that Jesus was born. But, I am convinced that the early Church
knew what it was doing in choosing this time of year to celebrate Advent and
Christmas. Into the time of darkness,
the light of the world has come. Maybe
in the darkness of an Alaskan winter that light of the world is even more
meaningful.
The
Gospel of John begins with these words, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through
him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In
him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the
darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:1-5)
The
light of the world has come into the darkness in our lives. In this darkness, Advent points us to the
real hope that God has come, and God continues to come to us in Jesus.
A Child of God, Full of Hope Because Jesus is Coming
Pastor Jonathan
****
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS
FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully
weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am
always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving
this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive
this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list
for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one
of these e-mails, please send me their
e-mail address.
No comments:
Post a Comment