In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering on the surface of the waters. —Genesis 1: 1-3
I believe even when…
You call me to be open.
I have put up wall after wall, closing myself off.
It’s easier in here, inside a world I can pretend to control.
You call me to wade out into the chaos.
Your people are out there, and I can’t hide here forever.
You call me to give up.
I can’t have all that I want and be able to accept what You want for me.
I have to give up my plans and exchange them for ones I cannot see.
You call me to trust that You have a brighter dream ahead for me.
You call me to wait.
Growth is done in secret, too slow to see up close.
I want to be whole now. I want to measure up now.
Patience is a virtue and a challenge I don’t want to face.
You call me to heal slowly this time, to heal right.
You call me to hope.
The night is so long and so empty, Lord.
You call me to believe even when dawn is far away.
Gracious God, sometimes our belief seems small and clouded. At times we want to hide away to avoid the struggles that seem to consume us. Grant us courage this Advent season, that even when we stand in the darkness, we can believe that we are held in the creator’s hands. Amen.
Kristine Isenhower
Read other Advent 2020 Devotionals or download the book as a PDF.