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November 29, 2010Hope in Advent
Don’t hesitate to trust the Lord’s leading.
This week we entered into the season of Advent: a perfect time to reflect on the past year, and prayerfully consider the year ahead. During Advent, I often find myself thinking about all the hopes I have for the year to come, maybe things I didn’t get to do this year, or things I’m missing spiritually. I would say these are good hopes, but I was reminded this week that I should place my greatest hope and trust in the Lord, no matter what’s in store for my life.
Perhaps our greatest obstacle to walking in the hope of Christ is that we often don’t understand the plan Christ has for us, so we fail to trust him. Our challenge, then, is much like Peter’s in Luke 5. Jesus tells Peter to let down his nets, even though the fishermen had been out all night with no catch. Jesus’ request doesn’t make sense to Peter, but he says, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets.” The fishermen catch so many fish, their nets begin to break.
Peter exemplifies what we should all do in this situation—trust the Lord, even when the plan doesn’t make sense. Probably the greatest example of walking in hope comes from Mary, who trusts the Lord when an angel comes to her with news of a miraculous conception. Elizabeth praises Mary in Luke 1, saying “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
As we continue through this Advent season, meditate on these examples. What are you placing your hope in this holiday season? Is Jesus asking you to go out into the deep? At Christ’s word, don’t hesitate to let down the nets.
Comments
Your message is simple yet speaks volumes. Thank you thank you for that!
Posted By: Lerato Motse | December 2, 2010 7:00 AM
This is indeed a time to reflect on God's goodness in our lives and to consider how we want to use the time, money and talents he has given us.
Posted By: Alicia Lim Ai Keng | December 7, 2010 6:03 AM