I have an aunt who is in the ICU. I am not unique in this. By this time in the COVID Pandemic most of us know someone who has been or is in the ICU. I’ve been interceding for my aunt morning, noon and night for several weeks, as I’m sure many others have done for loved ones.
This morning as I prayed, I was reminded of Advent. The season of symbolically waiting for our Messiah to come and save. I was reminded of how near God is because Jesus came and became Emmanuel – “God is with us.” He became flesh to be with us, and then He gave us the Holy Spirit so that he would never be far from us.
The comfort that comes from knowing Emmanuel is powerful. It allows me to continue to keep vigil for my loved one. It brings peace when the world is on fire around me. It brings comfort when I don’t understand the outcomes of life circumstances.
So as we look at Advent this year our weary hearts can rejoice. We can anticipate the coming of Emmanuel with hope and, even through tears, see that he is “not far from each of us.” As Acts 17 says, we can seek him and feel our way toward Him and find Him because He’s with us. I can’t think of better news than that this year.
Acts 17:24 -27
“The God who made the world and everything in it…made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each of us.”
~ Trisha Bowman
Christ Fellowship