Have you ever driven through a construction zone? For over forty years here in the DC area, I have battled them going back and forth to work. It’s messy, it’s noisy, and, let’s be honest, it’s inconvenient. But there’s a purpose behind all that chaos. The workers aren’t tearing up the road for fun—they’re preparing it for something better, something smoother. Advent, my friends, is our spiritual construction zone. It’s the time to clear the debris, level the bumps, and make way for the King.
The Prophet Malachi records the Lord saying, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1) That messenger was John the Baptist, and his job was to prepare the people for Christ’s coming. But his call wasn’t just for ancient Israel—it’s for us too. Advent reminds us that we are called to be both the road under construction and the workers preparing it.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “It is a great thing to begin a work for Christ; it is a greater thing to prepare for it.” Preparation takes time, effort, and intention. It’s not just about decorating the tree or checking off gift lists by ordering from Amazon. It’s about preparing our hearts for Jesus to enter in, clearing away the distractions and smoothing out the rough edges.
So, as we journey through this Advent season, let’s embrace the mess and the noise of putting God first in our lives. Let’s see it for what it is—a season of purposeful preparation. Just like a road is prepared for a visiting dignitary, let us prepare the way for the King of Kings. The question isn’t whether He’s coming; it’s whether our hearts are ready to receive Him and bold enough to tell others that He is coming.
Faithfulness in Ministry
The Apostle Paul gives us a simple but powerful reminder: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) Not successful. Not popular. Faithful. And that’s where we often struggle, isn’t it? We live in a world that measures everything by results—by numbers, likes, and accolades. But God’s measurement is different. He looks for faithfulness. Let’s face it, the Great Commission Anglican Church is very small. I, however, am more concerned if we are growing in our faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and if we are seeking to do what He calls us to do. Do we have the light of Christ shining in our lives?
Think of a lighthouse keeper. They don’t steer the ships or control the tides. Their job is to keep the light shining, no matter the weather or how many ships pass by. Faithfulness is their task, and their quiet work can save lives. That’s what we are called to be—lighthouse keepers for the Gospel. We may not always see the results, but our light matters.
Consider John the Baptist. He wasn’t glamorous or famous by the world’s standards. He lived in the wilderness, ate locusts and honey, and called people to repentance, he warned people of the coming judgment. Yet Jesus said of him, “Among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist”. (Matthew 11:11) Why? Because John was faithful to his calling. He pointed others to Jesus, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease”. (John 3:30) That’s the heart of faithfulness.
As the great British preacher G. Campbell Morgan, who began preaching at age thirteen, once said, “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration but its donation.” The word donation here symbolizes the impact, generosity, and selflessness of a person's actions, character, and legacy. Morgan is highlighting that the true value of a life is found in its purposeful giving—whether through time, resources, love, wisdom, or service. Faithfulness is about giving ourselves to the work God has entrusted to us, whether that’s raising a family, teaching a class, or simply being a light in our community.
So, let’s not get caught up in chasing results. Instead, let’s focus on keeping the light shining and trusting God to guide the ships safely home. Faithfulness is the work; the outcome is His.
Refining Our Hearts
Our Old Testament reading said, “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.” (Malachi 3:2) This imagery might seem daunting, but it’s not about punishment—it’s about preparation. Just as gold is purified through intense heat to remove impurities, our hearts undergo refining to become vessels worthy of God’s presence.
Picture an artist chiseling a statue from a block of marble. Each strike of the chisel may seem harsh, but it reveals the masterpiece within. Similarly, God shapes us, removing what doesn’t belong to reveal His image in us. This process, though sometimes uncomfortable, is essential for our spiritual growth.
John Wesley once remarked, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God.” This statement underscores the importance of purity in our intentions and actions. Advent serves as our refining season, a time to examine our lives, cast aside distractions, and focus solely on God.
Embracing this refining process during Advent allows us to become the individuals God intends us to be, ready to fulfill His purpose with hearts purified and aligned with His will.
Joyful Anticipation
Advent is like waiting for the sunrise after a long, dark night. There’s a sense of expectancy, a confident hope that light will overcome darkness. In our Gospel reading, we see this anticipation fulfilled as Jesus tells John’s disciples, “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” These signs of Christ’s presence bring profound joy to those who are ready to receive Him.
Psalm 85:10 beautifully captures this harmony: “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” It’s a poetic depiction of the unity and fulfillment found in Christ’s coming. As we prepare our hearts during Advent, we experience this convergence of God’s attributes, leading to a deep, abiding joy.
Reflecting on this season, Billy Graham noted, “The very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world was that he might offer up his life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.” His words remind us that Advent is a time of hope and preparation for the glorious moment when Christ will return.
So, as we journey through Advent, let’s embrace this season of joyful anticipation. Like waiting for the dawn, we trust that the light of Christ will dispel the darkness, bringing healing, peace, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Preparing Our Hearts to Witness
As we reflect on the Advent season, we’re reminded of the Collect’s call to “turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.” This prompts us to ask ourselves: Are we casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armor of light, as Paul urges us? He writes, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
Here are some practical steps we can take:
- Engage in Prayer and Reflection: Just as a gardener tends to the soil to prepare for new growth, we must cultivate our hearts through prayer and reflection, allowing God’s refining work to take place. This process helps us identify and remove the “weeds” of sin and distraction.
- Actively Participate in Church Ministry: Involvement in church activities, no matter how small, is akin to each member of an orchestra playing their part to create a harmonious symphony. Our collective efforts prepare the way for Christ in our community. Handing out the sermon and song sheets, helping to set up the room at Clark Brothers or Orlean Market for our services, helping to pack when we finish, inviting others to join us on a Sunday, all have their own glory in the Kingdom of God.
- Share the Gospel Through Acts of Kindness: John the Baptist pointed others to Christ through his actions and words. Similarly, our everyday acts of kindness and encouragement, the readiness to share our own story of how God has been active in our lives, can serve as beacons, guiding others toward the light of the Gospel.
The link to the Great Commission Anglican Church’s Mission:
As stewards of the Great Commission, we’re entrusted with the responsibility to prepare the way for Christ in our community. By living faithfully and witnessing boldly, we embody the light that dispels darkness, fulfilling our mission to spread the Gospel.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Men do not read the Bible, but they read us; do let us give them a good version of the Scripture in our lives.” Our lives are often the only Scripture others may encounter. Let’s ensure that through our actions and words, we’re faithfully representing Christ and preparing hearts to receive Him.
“Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room”
Imagine trudging through a snowy field, each step heavy and laborious. Yet, as you press on, you’re not just making a path for yourself but clearing the way for others to follow. Advent is much like this endeavor. It’s a season where we undertake the hard work of preparing our hearts, not only for our own spiritual journey but also to guide others toward Christ.
Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ first coming, we’re called to ready ourselves and our world for His return. This preparation involves introspection, repentance, and active engagement in our faith. It’s about making room in our hearts and lives for the Savior.
The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 85 resonates with this mission: “Restore us again, O God of our salvation… Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.” This cry for renewal and divine love underscores our Advent journey.
As we navigate this season, let’s embrace the challenge of clearing the path—removing obstacles in our hearts and lives that hinder our relationship with God. By doing so, we not only prepare ourselves but also illuminate the way for others to encounter His grace. Let us pray,
Lord, refine our hearts like silver and gold.
Make us faithful stewards of Gospel,
preparing the way for Your return,
so that we may joyfully witness Your salvation.
Amen.
