This week, I am reading an Advent devotional in the YouVersion Bible app. As we are now into the final month of 2020, I am feeling a little broken, beaten up, and non-motivated to do almost anything. With a pandemic, lockdowns, so much time at home, masking, social distancing, deciding when and where to travel, wondering who is being careful, deciding to go back to school or not – all the things just feel so heavy. A real burden that feels physically on my shoulders. I do know many of you feel the same. There is a bit of comfort knowing you do understand these feelings.
The truth is, I don’t “want” to do my daily devotional. I am more and more finding myself making a conscience choice to read my Bible regardless of feelings. Almost forcing myself to do what I know is good for me.
Please tell me I am not the only one who has to do this?
But today, as I am reading about Zachariah in Luke chapter 1, I feel encouraged. That’s how it often works, right? In my choosing, the “forcing” of myself to spend time in God’s word, I am uplifted. And being uplifted is exactly what I need in December 2020. What about you?
If anyone understands disappointment and despair it’s Zachariah. So when the angel tells him about all the greatness in store for him and his wife, it isn’t absurd that he responds with doubt in verse 18. “Do you expect me to believe this?” By then, I’d be doubtful too. But when the good finally arrives, in the form of a LONG awaited son, what is Zachariah’s response? It’s a beautiful prophecy I’d love to encourage you all to read, but in verse 79, I really like this:
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God’s Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.
This December 2020, month after month seems to beat us down. There doesn’t seem like there can be true joy and goodness this year. But, this Advent season there really is so much good. So much joy. I too have been dragged down and heavy-laden long enough this year. I am choosing this Advent season to open my Bible and wait for the true long waited Son with surety. Even on the hard days, when I REALLY don’t feel like it. Jesus is there, always ready, to bring me good news and joy. Will you choose this with me?
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