I've decided to be more intentional with Advent this year. So, I'm excited to start a Bible reading plan (here is the link if you’d like to follow along) that helps me to focus! I'll use this blog as a place to share some of the highlights of what I'm learning, and I invite you to join me with comments or feedback. I'll try to make connections to Maybe and to freedom, joy, and thriving in relationships where I can--afterall, those are what this site is all about :) And yes, as part of trying to be consistent, I'll also do my best to keep things short and sweet :)
Advent is a time for us to prepare for both celebration of our Savior's birth as well as His promised return. One of today's scriptures especially encouraged me:
"I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in him in every way, in all speech and knowledge. In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Corinthians 1:4-8 (CSB)
The italicized verse in this passage stands out to me as a great way to focus as we begin this Advent season. It reminds me of one of the principles from Steven Covey's classic book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Begin with the End in Mind. And in this case, what a glorious promise we are given--"He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ"!
If this means what I think it does, then we can take heart! Simply put, if our Lord (through the apostle Paul) say this then it is going to happen! He will strengthen us so that we will be blameless! This season, if we are struggling or feeling weak, let us consider that our difficulties will not get the last word; they are not the end of the story. And hopefully, as we continue in our relationships with each other, this can mean that the pressure is off (I'll come back to this in the future). Just as Christmas reminds us that our Lord fulfilled the prophesies of old to send a Savior, so He will fulfill this promise to strengthen us and continue to show us that He is indeed faithful!
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