Unprepared

Unprepared

Today is the beginning of the season of Advent. In recent years, I’ve embraced this season more intentionally as a time of reflection and hope.

It’s become a tender space for me to remember the coming of Jesus at the time of His birth but also a time to repeat the sounding joy of “Come, Lord Jesus” — in our world and in my heart again today.

As I enter this year’s season of Advent in 2020, I don’t feel prepared but maybe that’s what it’s all about — coming unprepared so that I can be re-centered on my Father and His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Prepare Him room.

To “prepare Him room” might just mean you weren’t prepared in the first place. A good place to start.

My Heavenly Father’s kingdom is one of righteousness and love not the chaos and anger I’m seeing so often in this world today.

How can I prepare my heart to hear the voice of Holy Spirit over me this season? How can I watch for His coming in my life today, as well as in those I love?

Watch and pray.

Prepare room in my heart, my mind, and my home for the coming of Jesus.

The official season of Advent starts today and ends on Christmas day — the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. This year, that’s in the neighborhood of 27 days.

Let’s take a day at a time together and prepare Him room.

In the story of the lost son, the father waited and watched for his son to come home. In a similar way, what if we spent some time every day waiting and watching — with hopeful expectation — for our Father to come to us …come into our broken story …come into the lives of those we love in a new and fresh way …come into our neighborhood with love and righteousness and peace …come into our cities and towns with justice and mercy for all …come into our world with healing and grace.

Coming unprepared means I don’t have all the candles in place or my favorite books on Advent dusted off. Coming unprepared means the day crept up on me and I feel lost in the shuffle that has descended on me (on us) in 2020.

As those who had been in exile longed and waited to sing the songs again in Zion, I’ll wait and watch for God to restore all that is broken …starting with me.

Come, Lord Jesus. Come!

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Revelation 22:20-21 (ESV)

Feature Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash

Joy Waters Martin

My kids tease me sometimes that my definition of a situation going well is often described as, "It was 'life-giving' " -- meaning, it may have had some conflicts or uneasy moments or stress but all in all , something about it breathed life into the situation and the people involved...something of the heart was moved in a good direction. I'm all about LIFE ... life with my husband, life with 4 adult children, their spouses and 8 grandchildren (to date, that is :), life in our home and life in a wild adventure we tend to label "ministry". In reality , all of these categories mesh together to make up the "organic me". Relational , redeeming and restoring are some of my favorite words and they give life to my soul as I walk it all out with Jesus Christ, the Giver of all life. Profile Photo by: Melody Martin

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Debby Smith

    I liked this, Joy. So often I feel unprepared for the seasons that cycle while I’m in the midst of stuff.

  2. Joy3

    What a good invitation! Come anyway!!! I feel this girl!

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