Hopeful preparation.

I'm so excited to have completed my second marathon,  the Honolulu marathon.   Many preparations and training went into that day.  One way I prepared myself was to run some of the actual course.  That way, I would become familiar with the terrain and know what to expect on race day.  I think this created a sense of confidence and calmness as I was faced with the difficult challenge of that day. As the miles progressed  I knew it would only be so long on this straight away before I would turn the corner.   I knew when to prepare myself, change my pace before that treacherous hill.  Knowing that the finish line was just over that hill, made me run a little faster as I came to the top of it.   Of course, there were many variables that were beyond my control such as the weather (thank God this stayed beautiful even though rain was expected) or a muscle cramp, or that person who stopped suddenly in front of me at the water station, or when nature called at mile 17 causing me to run into the nearest porto potty.  Every runner knows what I'm talking about.   These factors that were beyond my control, I just placed my trust in God that He would still see me through to the very end of the race.  During the Christmas season, many preparations are made, from shopping to celebrations and get togethers.  The season of advent is a period celebrated by most churches, signifying the preparation of the celebration of when Christ first came, when God Himself showed up on earth as a tiny baby in the manger.  Advent is also a time to celebrate the preparation of the second coming of Christ. This caused me to ask myself, what am I  doing to prepare myself for Christ?  I don't know about you, but  I would want to become familiar with Jesus before that second coming, or that big final race.  I wonder, if he were to come now, would I recognize him?  Would I be confident and  calm  in knowing Him or my own salvation?  Or even now?  I find the more I know Jesus and seek Him, the more confident and calm I am in the course of life ahead not in just in myself but in trusting Him to handle all the variables. 
One thing I've tried to do  this season to get to know Jesus is participate in a daily advent devotional that involves reading the scripture and meditating on verses like the one above.  Who is Jesus really and what has He been to me? I can remember times in my life when He has been a 'counselor' helping me guide my decisions.   I marvel every day at what a 'mighty God' He is, like when I see the faith in a mother who just lost her son or when I witness the hope and peace in a terminally ill patient or see a life transformed from the illness of addiction.  I rejoice that I have an 'everlasting Father' who loves me unconditionally and and also loves us so much, He came to earth to die for us.  I praise Him for the 'Prince of Peace' that He is who I want to get to know even more. 


I invite you to take a moment and reflect on the verse above.  Think of ways Jesus has played that role or is currently playing that role in your life. 

Through this devotional, I've also been challenged to give and not only give what I have left over, but give where it is inconvenient and maybe even hurt going out of my comfort zone.  My family was recently blessed to to help out a family in our community in need, not knowing who they were or exactly what their situation was.  All we knew is that they needed help. When it came time to deliver, they were very grateful.  I was pushed to make friends with the homeless community on my way to work, getting to know their names and their needs, praying with them instead of  just throwing my spare change at them. I think by doing these things as hard and  awkward it may be,we get to know Jesus a little bit more as we share His love.

As we prepare our hearts for Jesus during the season of Advent, we can also wait with anticipation the good things to come that God has promised. Growing up, I remember being asked to make a Christmas wish list.   This list was not a promise that I would get exactly what was on my list, but maybe if I was fortunate I'd get one thing from the list or at least something like it. Our God of hope is a hope that is not wishful thinking.  
 It is a hope that means patiently waiting for something that is to come.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  -Hebrews 11:1
There are many unexpected twists and turns on this rough  course of life, but we can have confidence and trust in God as we come to know Him and prepare our hearts for Him, not only in this season of advent, but every day. 

Merry Christmas my friends!  I am so grateful for this year (528 days sober!) and I'm grateful for you.  I am very excited for the good things to come in 2017.  Happy New Year! 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:13