How to Wrap Your Mind around Advent in a Pandemic

When all is not well

When all is not right

When life is tiring, exhausting, frustrating

When avoiding people is easier than interacting with them

When staying in bed all day seems like a reasonable desire

When lonely

When surrounded by grief

When prone to wander

When feeling insecure, increasingly irritated and overwhelmed

When people are hidden behind their masks— Who are they? What are they thinking?

When people are suspicious, a coughing shopper is like starters pistol

When people disappoint with gossip or smugness or pettiness or meanness

When I am smug or petty or mean or any of those things I despise

When life seems like it will never be the same

When life is not fun… not fine… not fair.

Jesus came.

Jesus experienced all of our emotions.

Jesus knows…

Our sorrow

Our sickness

Our suffering

Our grief

Our frustration

Our loneliness

Our wounds

Our fears, doubts, depression, worries, and pain.

He came; He lived; He died; He rose and He calls us.

In spite of our all our unwanted baggage

…and having nothing to offer.

He calls us to join Him.

It’s not an escape

It’s not a free pass to miss the sufferings around us

It’s an invitation to join in the sufferings around us.

But not as before.

Not trapped. Free

Not afraid. Hopeful

Not weak. Strong

Not forgotten.

Loved.

Embraced.

Empowered.

Here I am Lord, send me!

Send me to those who are just like me– people in need of you

Send me into the messy world for whom you came

Send me to sow your hope, peace, joy and love.

This Advent season, Lord, send me.