Traveling the Advent Journey: Taking Risks

       As we travel our Advent journey, it’s difficult for us to imagine how John the Baptist could have missed the truth that Jesus was indeed the messiah—the one who was to come.
       Consider the evidence: the blind could see, the lame could walk, the lepers were healed, the deaf could hear, the dead were alive, and the poor received good news.
       And yet John—who was on his own Advent journey—seemed uncertain about which step to take next. Jesus was not following the road map that John had expected. Jesus replaced John’s message of judgment and repentance with one of forgiveness and redemption.
       But despite his uncertain footing, John did not give up his journey. John’s questioning about Jesus’ identity reveals a desire to travel onward.
       John’s question reminds us that faith involves taking risks.

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       Our Advent journey may well call us to take some uncertain steps.
       Despite the markers that point us in the right direction, a journey in faith requires us to step out even when we cannot see the ground in front of us. A journey of faith calls us to press forward even if we’re afraid of what lies ahead of us. A journey in faith compels us to trust that guidance will come from a source greater than ourselves.
       As we journey toward Christ’s coming, may we do so with faith that will steady our uncertain steps, with trust in the one whose coming we seek, and with hope that the risks we take will lead us to a wonder greater than we ever could anticipate.
                                                        Matthew 11:2-6
​O God, be with us on our journey this Advent. Be our rod when our steps are uncertain. Be our guide when our path is unclear. And be our strength and our courage when our journey requires a leap of faith. We pray in the name of the Christ whose coming we await. Amen.

                                                                                                         KP