I often feel that I spend my life in a perpetual season of waiting, a constant state of longing. I long for a renewed sense of purpose, I long for healing in broken areas of my life, I long to meet and love the man that God is preparing for me, and I long to know my life has impacted the world. I am constantly in longing and it is this unending waiting which can rob me of the joy of the present. I can find myself so caught up in the anticipation of future happiness that I am unable to fully experience the joys of today.
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A spirit of longing marks Advent itself. If I must be caught up in anticipation of future things I would hope it would be in the spirit of this season. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”. It is a time of preparation and reflection. As we reflect on the Hebrews who waited on Christ before us we echo that same act now.
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Wrapped up in this yearning for Christ is a desire for freedom. People, across each continent, now echo the same cry for freedom of oppression first expressed by Israelite slaves. For some it is a desperate appeal for autonomy from sin and brokenness and for others it is a plea for physical freedom from their oppressors.
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The Advent season provides an opportunity for deeper reflection and solidarity with those experiencing injustice. This is a chance for unity founded in a shared desire for deliverance from brokenness, illness, poverty, human trafficking, and injustice in all its forms. It is a shared cry of longing for a God who hears us and participates in our grief as well as our hope. If I must be in a constant state of longing I pray it would be for a God who brings peace and justice and righteousness to the world.
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Originally posted in Brown-Eyed Amazon⋅ December 23, 2011