Advent: Hope in Action
Excerpt from The Urban Christian Woman 31 Day Advent Devotional. Read here!
“So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].” 2 Peter 3:14
This advent season, may we also be as the disciples, were - waiting in anticipation, but this time for Christ’s second return. The Bible tells us that the disciples went from the hill back to Jerusalem into the upper room, where they joined together constantly in prayer. If you remember Anna from Luke, this is exactly what she was doing when baby Jesus arrived at the temple. Notice the waiting wasn’t an idle time, but a time full of action and prayer! Here’s a few ways the church can have hope in action:
Pray. For the believer, there’s not a time when prayer is not in order. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:18 —“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” You may ask what exactly we should be praying for as we await Christ’s return. We should be praying that we do not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41), that we will be able to endure difficult times (Luke 21:36), and for each other (1 Timothy 2:1).
Prepare. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the disciples a parable of ten virgins. Five of them were foolish, five were wise. The five wise ones were prepared for the bridegroom. The five foolish ones were not. Jesus ends the parable warning the disciples to be watchful and prepared because no one knows the day nor hour when the Son of Man will appear. We can prepare by keeping our minds on Jesus, keeping a heart of repentance, getting our lives in order, and encouraging others to do the same.
Praise. While praying and preparing, we should have a heart of thanksgiving and praise. Our anticipation should not be daunting, but a time for joy as we look forward to Christ keeping his promise to return for his people. Hebrews 13:15 tells us, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”
A mind that is full of anticipation, paired with eyes looking forward, and a heart full of prayer, preparation, and praise is how we can display hope in action!
Let's talk about it:
Are you idle with your hope, or is your hope in action? If you have been idle in your hope, take intentional time out of your day to write out how you can pray, prepare and praise Jesus as you wait for his return.