God's Messenger

Read...Malachi 3: 1-4

Historically, the seasons of Advent and Lent have been those times when Christians have dedicated or rededicated themselves to devotional practices, namely private prayer and focused study and reflection upon the Scriptures.  The Church has encouraged these devotional practices as a way for persons to prepare themselves to celebrate fully the holy days of Christmas and Easter. I want to add my voice to those many who have encouraged such devotional practice among the faithful.

It must be said, though, that these devotional practices do far more than simply prepare us for the holy days. There is merit to the reasoning that devotional practices allow us "get closer" to God; they do, in fact draw us closer to God. I believe, however, that the devotional practices are not about us and what we are doing--these practices are a means whereby God can transform the human soul/mind/life into Christ's likeness. Engaging in these practices are our invitation for God to speak to us, to reavel a bit of God's self to us; they are our invitation to God to take us and to turn us upside down and to challenge us. At the same time, though, they are our submission to, acceptance of, and reliance upon God's grace, as we realize that we, by ourselves, cannot transform ourselves into Christ's likeness--no matter how hard we try.  This transformation is accomplished only by the Holy Spirit, working in and through us; allowing us to see, hear, feel, and understand who God is and what God is about.

Before the Spirit begins that transformational work in us, though, the Spirit is already hard at work.  It is the Spirit that speaks to our heart of our need to turn to God; it is the Spirit that places in our soul a longing to connect with God and to experience more fully God's grace and God's ways.  As we read the words of Malachi today, we can recognize the Spirit as God's messenger that is being sent ahead of God. The message of the Spirit to our heart is this: the Lord is near. The Lord IS near. For the people of Malachi's day, the Lord was near in a very physical sense--Jesus' birth was not TOO far off. For us, the Lord is near to us spiritually--nearer to us than we might imagine.  As we begin this Advent season, I want to challenge you right away, in two ways. The first challenge is this:  think about ways and times in your life that the Holy Spirit has been God's messenger to you. The second challenge is this:  choose a time and a space right now for daily devotions and time sent apart to be with God. It might through this forum or it might another way, however you choose. With whatever mode you choose, make room for the Holy Spirit to prepare you for Advent, for Christmas, and for life beyond the holy days. May God's rich blessings and peace be yours...today and throughout this Advent season!