While we celebrate Jesus' first advent with faith and his second with hope, it's love that fuels our present. Guided by Thomas Kelly's call to embrace our "joyous burdens" of love, we can delve into Psalm 84 for guidance. As pilgrims yearning for and praising the Lord, we should develop a heart for His house, a spirit of constant gratitude, and a willingness to walk the path He sets before us. Empowered by Christ, we can find joy in serving Him through the good and hard times, just as the pilgrims anticipated reaching Jerusalem. So, let's dedicate this year to practicing love, embracing our specific tasks, and journeying with a grateful heart towards God's kingdom.
Jesus Brings Joy
Skip the fleeting joys of the world that crumble under life's weight. Instead, discover Biblical Joy: a confident assurance, rooted in Christ and empowered by the Gospel. This Joy shields you from despair, grants perspective on pain, and ignites your purpose. Find it by drawing close to Jesus, the source of this unshakeable Joy He gifted through His sacrifice.
Jesus Brings Peace
The world lacks peace due to the pervasive influence of sin. The ultimate solution lies in accepting Jesus' sacrifice and establishing a relationship with Him. Jesus, born as the Son of God, is the divine manifestation that addresses the root cause of sin. Despite the mystery surrounding His simultaneous divine and human nature, He lived, died, and rose again to pay for our sins. This profound act of sacrifice, symbolized by His birth and crucifixion, brings peace, healing, and restoration to humanity.
Jesus Brings Hope
In his message to the Colossian church, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of the hope brought by Jesus, drawing from his personal experiences. He contends that this hope is so robust that it enables believers to find joy in their sufferings, as Jesus promises purpose in every moment of hardship, likening it to the meaningful pain of childbirth. Paul unveils the mystery of this hope in Colossians 1:27, revealing that Christ's indwelling Spirit is the key. Despite life taking unexpected turns, such as the loss of loved ones or health, Paul urges individuals not to succumb to despair. Instead, he contrasts unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol and narcotics with the redemptive alternative of receiving the hope that Christ offers, transforming suffering into endurance and stamina, emphasizing that embracing Christ means gaining everything.