Thursday December 9, 2021

Today is Thursday, December 9 and during this second week of Advent we explore what the Bible says about watchfulness.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply, and focus my mind on the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me and watching over me. I trust that you know what is best for me. Reveal the message you have for me today through the power of your Holy Spirit. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

In the morning I wake to God’s goodness and praise him with the words of Psalm 57.

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:8-11

Pause and Pray

During the second week of Advent, Christians light two candles on the Advent wreath. The wreath was dark and empty at the beginning of the season. The darkness represents the brokenness of the world. In quiet moments I reflect on the darkness, emptiness and poverty in the surrounding culture. Last week one candle was lit offering hope that the light of goodness will increase. The light becomes consistently stronger and one day the remaining candles will also be lit and light will cover everything. The whole world waits for the light of Jesus Christ to come and dispel the darkness. No matter how powerful and prolific the darkness boasts, it can never overcome the light. John begins his gospel with these words of hope.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:1-9

Jesus Christ is life. The light of all humankind is my light. I am aware of darkness on a daily basis. I see evidence of darkness on the nightly news, in the behavior of people toward one another, in my community, my neighborhood, and my social media network. I consider the darkness in my own home, my relationships, my moods, negative thoughts and clouded emotions. Perhaps there are shadows of darkness in my motivations, intentions, and interactions with other people. Maybe there is a negative spirit which nags me with gloomy, pessimistic thoughts – saying things will never get any better, will never change, and my prayers are forgotten and ignored. John the Baptist was not a witness to the darkness, John was a witness to the light. How can I be a witness to the light? The light of Jesus Christ shines in the darkness. How can I shine?

Ask: Where in my life do I recognize darkness and where do I see the light at work? Where do I consistently put my faith – in the light or the darkness?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I long for your light to shine. Dispel the darkness of my mood, chase away the clouds of negativity, shine your light on my heart and my path. Holy Spirit, restore my faith and hope in the goodness of God to work in every situation and circumstance, even mine. I read the words from John’s prologue again, listening for the message you have for me today.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:1-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I converse with God about this passage from John. I question the words that stand out to me, that grab my heart. I ask the Holy Spirit to lead me to a resolution about what this passage means for my current life and how I might apply a new teaching. I ask God to reveal the next steps he has for me in my spiritual journey. The juxtaposition of light and darkness in John is a contrast that I apply to my life. I consider how I currently experience darkness and alternatively the light of Jesus Christ. Darkness threatens to bring doubt, disbelief, worry and fear into my life. When that happens how does Jesus shine light into my situation?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, Light of the World, shine your light on my heart, on my soul, on my relationships, on my situation. Shine your light on my path and lead me the way I should go. Show me the next steps on my spiritual journey and strengthen me to walk as your child should walk. I want to be a child of the light and walk in the light. Amen.

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5b-7

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I walk in the light of Jesus and shine his light in the world so that others might see. Amen.