The message that Advent brings is one of preparation for the Coming One. When Jesus came, his work was to invite us into the life of God. It is this life that the Apostle Paul celebrates in his letter to the Philippian church. Written toward the end of Paul’s life, this letter reflects a longing for intimacy with God that had not diminished throughout Paul’s life and ministry, in spite of the many hardships he had endured. In his life, the ministry of Jesus had done its work!
In this Advent season, as we reflect on our own experience of God and God’s life, we may want to ask ourselves whether our hearts share the longing that Paul expresses in these verses. The wonderful opportunity that this season offers us is to nurture our longing for God, and to remember again that God is always coming to us, always available to us, and that, if we desire intimacy with God, we need only make the time and space for it to happen.
We might even think of those ways we feel a longing for more of God’s presence and life. How does that longing show itself in our lives? In what ways can we nurture our desire for God, in order to grow into a deeper relationship with Him? How can this Advent season help us to do all of this?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we want to know and love you more. Help our love for you to be seen in our lives in such a way that it may stir a longing for you in others. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Submitted by: Jerry Armour