One of the things we do in our Team within the Eastern Baptist Association is share a ‘thought for the week’ with Ministers in the Association. It is sent by email each week. This week it was my turn and, in the spirit of recycling, I am posting it here too. If you are an EBA Minister and have already received this by email I am sorry that you have had it twice…

The family car is finally packed. The children are finally strapped into their seats with their favourite toys. The journey has started and everyone is finally able to relax. And then, from the back seat, come the chilling words that will be repeated all the way for the rest of the journey:

“Are we there yet?”

At the start of the season of Advent (this Sunday) we reflect on the promises of God.

Isaiah 2:2-5:

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

“Are we there yet?”

It was because the destination was so wonderful that the Advent expectation, anticipation (and impatience) was so high by the time of Christ. Consider it for a moment: in the last days God’s reign will be obvious to all; people from all nations will stream to him to learn from him and follow his guidance;  his word will be proclaimed; his justice will be experienced; his peace will be universal.

“Are we there yet?”

Well, no. But we are on the way. Advent is a season of hopefulness and anticipation. We have the advantage of knowing how God will bring all of this about (starting with a baby in a cattle feeding trough). But we also have a call to make God’s reign obvious, to learn from him and follow him, to proclaim his word, to seek his justice and be agents of his peace today so that his Kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.

Be blessed, be a blessing