Presbyterians for Earth Care Dec. 20th Advent Devotion

December 20^th

Isaiah 62:6-10

Paul Heins

^“You who call on the LORD,
     don’t rest,

and don’t allow God to rest” Is. 62:7

What a remarkable statement by the prophet Isaiah…”Don’t allow God to rest.”

Can you sense a little frustration, disappointment, or impatience on the part of the prophet who was waiting for God to make things right? 

The people of Israel had suffered a brutal exile and returned home to find that home was not shaping up the way they expected, and God was distant.  “Don’t allow God to rest.”  C’mon Lord! Hurry up!

Advent is about eager expectation–not just for the joyful arrival of a baby in a manger, but for the restoration of life, of balance, of harmony to a creation that is struggling. If you feel God is distant from our struggle or wondering why God would allow things to go so slowly, or backward two steps before going forward one, then you are not alone. It’s ok. Like the prophet, give voice to your struggle.  Join your siblings on the ramparts…and don’t allow God to rest until things are set right. It’s Advent, a time of holy impatience. 

On a recent trip to Hawaii, I had occasion to visit Volcanoes National Park. Did you know an eruption is in progress? This one is not spewing lava into the air and exploding, it’s slow, but unstoppable.

The prophet will go on to say, “prepare the way for the people. Build, build the road; clear away the stones!” Get ready. Partner in the work and look for a fresh coming. 

Lord, hear our cry. Receive our impatience and frustration. Come.  

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Mindy Hidenfelter

Coordinator

Presbyterians for Earth Care

www.presbyearthcare.org

Find us on Facebook
Twitter: @presbyearthcare

Instagram: @presbyearthcare

Presbyterians for Earth Care Dec. 12th Advent Devotion

December 12^th

Isaiah 7:10-16

Paul Heins

“As deep as the grave or as high as heaven,” offered the prophet Isaiah to the anxious King Ahaz.  The powers that be were inspecting the defenses of the city under threat by forces greater than they.  How things change. How they stay the same. 

Creations crisis is throwing up all kinds of signs from microplastics on the sea floor, to decimated mountaintops strip of their minerals, to raging storms and parched riverbeds. Forces greater than us threaten the well-being of the planet.  We long for a different kind of sign that there is deliverance or hope on the horizon.  Isaiah assures the king–too despairing to hope-that God was active, moving beyond his sight…beyond our sight, for peace. This is our advent faith.  

Our advent faith also encourages us to hold up signs, signs telling the powers that be that their ramparts–consumption, convenience, profit–are creating the crisis that casts shadow on all of us. We can hold up signs of hope, connection, resilience, and simplicity; signs that proclaim we are partners with the God who even now is active beyond the horizon to bring peace.  This is our advent faith.   

A small congregation on the Puget Sound has held up such a sign. It is accompanied by power to charge electric vehicles when they are running low on juice. It is their gift to the community. It is a sign of hope. 

What sign of hope will you, or your congregation hold up this Advent season and beyond? 

Holy God, may we trust in your faithfulness and intention for peace and healing for all life.  May we hold up signs that encourage and empower us to partner in your faithfulness.  Emmanuel.

--

Mindy Hidenfelter

Coordinator

Presbyterians for Earth Care

www.presbyearthcare.org

Find us on Facebook
Twitter: @presbyearthcare

Instagram: @presbyearthcare