Story by David Nii, Council of Twelve Apostles
It’s exactly what [God] promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.
Based on the Advent Devotion for Families and Households available at https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/26072/uploaded/h/0e18630581_1729692500_hope-is-near-advent-2024-23102024.pdf
Open: Light a candle or ring a chime.
Ask: Take a few minutes and ask yourself, “When did I feel hope today or yesterday?”
Listen: A quote is attributed to Jonathan Swift: “The power of fortune is confessed only by the miserable, for the happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.” Many people believe success and happiness are solely results of their proper actions. Likewise, misery is the condition of undeserving people because of their actions. These assumptions blind us to the nature of God.
My life as a youth was easy. Food, shelter, clothing, and safety never were prevailing concerns. Participation in school, sports, social life, and family was effortless. It was fairly easy to celebrate God when I deceived myself into thinking God was on my side more than on others’.
Reality, however, has a way of unveiling our misperceptions. Struggling through college because of personal and external decisions was an awakening. Adulthood brought familiar themes of undeserved gifts, dashed hopes, surprising recognitions, unfulfilled expectations, broken relationships, joy-filled serendipity, financial stress, and pain. Loved ones died too soon. Unforeseen events brought significant life changes. What was God about, then? Was God looking over me with judgment, or was a much deeper life lesson being experienced?
God was about being present. The nature of God is not one of granting blessings and issuing punishments. It is one of merciful presence and comfort in all of life. When we pay attention to life around us, we acknowledge it rains on the just and unjust. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people.
Acknowledging God’s presence and concern for us even when we are not deserving is a transforming experience. God’s care and comfort for us, in easy and in struggling situations, is the divine nature. We don’t control grace. Suffering and pain arise with and without merit. When we surrender ourselves to God’s grace, all of life can be received with gratitude because gifts arise with and without merit.
Breathe
The season of Advent reminds us that even as we wait for the birth of Christ in our lives and world, God is always with us. Right here, right now—wherever we are and with the ones we love. Take a deep breath and breathe in the presence of God.
Respond
How can you bring hope to others today?
Gratitude Prayer
Start a prayer by saying, “God, today I am grateful for…”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.