Joyous Expectations

The Christmas season stirs a sense of joyous expectation. But how do we find joy during seasons of waiting or hardship?

Imagine the weight of knowing you might not make it out of a desperate situation alive. That was the reality Martin and Gracia Burnham faced during their 376 days of captivity in the Philippine jungle. Martin, a New Tribes missionary, had dedicated his life to following Jesus—just as he had encouraged others to do during his last devotional in his Kansas hometown. Quoting the words of Jesus from John 21:22, Martin had challenged his church, saying, “As for you, follow me.” He didn’t just say those words; he lived them.

As their captivity wore on, the Burnhams realized that freedom might never come on this side of heaven. But instead of despairing, Martin turned to Scripture for strength. One night, as they lay in a hammock under a makeshift tent, Martin said to Gracia, “The Bible says to serve the Lord with gladness. Let’s go out all the way. Let’s serve Him all the way with gladness.”

What a remarkable statement in the midst of hardship! The Burnhams prayed, recited Scripture, and sang hymns together, choosing to focus on God rather than their circumstances. Hours later, a rescue attempt tragically ended Martin’s life and left Gracia injured—but not without hope. Even in death, Martin’s commitment to serve God with gladness stood as a testament to the joy found in following Christ wholeheartedly, no matter the cost.

This story challenges us to ask: How do we respond when life gets hard? 

Do we serve God with gladness, even in the darkest seasons? 

True joy isn’t tied to our circumstances but to our decision to trust God and worship Him through every trial.

Psalm 100:2 calls us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” That’s not just a command for easy times; it’s a way we are to live in all situations. We can choose to live with joy when we are  enjoying blessings or enduring hardship. The reason for our ability to glorify God with joy is based on our confidence in His promises and His presence is with us. Like Martin Burnham, let us commit to serving God all the way—with gladness in our hearts—no matter what life may bring.

Advent is the season that reminds us to reflect on Jesus’s first coming as a way to prepare for his second coming. Through Advent, we meditate on God’s promises and choose to respond with hope, peace, and joy. 

Unlike fleeting happiness, which is tied to circumstances, joy is a choice—a deep trust in God’s faithfulness, even when life is hard. As we explore Scriptures from Zephaniah, Luke, and Colossians, we discover that joy comes from trusting God to keep His promises while hoping for better things to come.

Joy in the Waiting

“Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart…” (Zephaniah 3:14-17; CSB)

The prophet Zephaniah offers a vision of joy even amid waiting. Much of his prophecy speaks of judgment, yet in chapter 3, God gives His people hope. Zephaniah declares that a day is coming when judgment will end, enemies will be defeated, and God Himself will live among His people. This promise gives them a reason to rejoice, even while they wait.

For us, waiting on God’s promises can be difficult. Yet joy is found in trusting Him, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Zephaniah reminds us that God’s presence, salvation, and victory over fear are reasons to sing and rejoice. As followers of Jesus, we are called to find joy by anchoring ourselves in God’s promises—salvation, forgiveness, resurrection, and the hope of new creation.

Joy in God’s Fulfilled Promises

“And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” (Luke 1:46-55)

Mary’s song, the Magnificat, flows out of her joy in seeing God’s promises fulfilled. After learning she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary visits Elizabeth, whose own miraculous pregnancy confirms God’s faithfulness. Mary’s song rejoices in God’s power to lift the humble, feed the hungry, and bring justice.

Mary and Elizabeth saw God at work, but their circumstances—Roman oppression and poverty—remained challenging. They chose joy because they trusted in God’s promises. Similarly, we need to train our hearts to see God’s work in our daily lives. Gratitude for even the smallest blessings opens our eyes to His faithfulness. By recognizing God’s provision and transformation in our lives, we can respond with joy and praise.

Joy in Redemption Through Christ

“… being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully…” (Colossians 1:11-14)

Paul reminds the Colossians to be joyful and grateful, even as they face false teachings and challenges in their faith. Why? Because God has rescued them from darkness and brought them into His Kingdom of light. This incredible gift of salvation is the ultimate reason for joy.

Gratitude is essential for living with joy. When we take God’s blessings for granted, we focus on what we lack rather than what we’ve been given. Practicing gratitude—especially for our salvation—grounds us in joy, even during difficult seasons. As Paul prayed for the Colossians, we too can pray for strength and endurance to live with joy, trusting in the redemption Christ has already secured for us.

Conclusion: Choosing Joy

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts by remembering Jesus’ first coming and anticipating His return. As we reflect on God’s promises, His presence, and His gift of salvation, we are invited to live with joy—a joy not dependent on circumstances but on the hope and trust we have in Christ.

Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 and spend time in prayer, committing to live with joy each day. Consider where you see God at work in your life and thank Him for His faithfulness.

Final Thought

Happiness comes and goes with life’s ups and downs, but joy is a choice grounded in Jesus. In all circumstances, we can rejoice because God is with us, His promises are true, and His redemption is secure. Let us choose joy, trusting in the One who has already brought us from darkness into His marvelous light.

Peace in Unlikely Places

A World in Desperate Need of Peace

Imagine the remarkable progress humanity has achieved over the past 120 years: electricity illuminating our nights, airplanes shrinking the world, and modern medicine saving countless lives. Yet, amid these achievements, a sobering truth looms: the world has rarely known peace.

 

Consider this: since 1900, over 250 major wars have erupted, including two global conflicts—World War I and II—that devastated nations and left millions dead. Even the so-called "peaceful" moments of the last century were interspersed with proxy wars, struggles for independence, and civil strife. Peace feels elusive, a dream too fragile for this broken world.

 

War is just one reflection of a world out of alignment with God’s intentions. Famine, human trafficking, abuse, addiction, and loneliness are other scars on humanity. Advent reminds us that into this fractured world, God sent His Son, Jesus—the Prince of Peace.

Biblical peace, or shalom, goes far beyond the mere absence of conflict. Rooted in the Jewish understanding of restoration, peace is about bringing wholeness and harmony to what is broken. It involves enemies not only ceasing their fighting but also reconciling and working together. This concept of peace can be seen in repairing a broken wall—returning it to its intended state. The peace Jesus brings is both the end of humanity's rebellion against God and the restoration of life to the way it was meant to be, a profound renewal of relationships and creation.

 

Peace in Unexpected Places

1. Peace from an Unlikely Place (Micah 5:2-5a)

The Prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah, Israel’s long-awaited deliverer, would come from Bethlehem. This small, unremarkable town echoed God’s choice of David, the shepherd-king. Bethlehem reminds us that God’s plans unfold in humility and unlikely places.

 

Micah also paints a vivid picture of the Messiah as the source of peace: not merely the absence of conflict, but restoration—restoring relationships, rebuilding what’s broken, and bringing life back into alignment with God’s will. This peace begins with reconciliation between God 

and humanity. Through Jesus, we glimpse what life is meant to be.

2. Peace Born in Humble Circumstances (Luke 2:1-14)

The Christmas story is familiar, yet extraordinary. Jesus, the King of Kings, was born not in a palace but a stable, surrounded by animals. The world’s Savior entered humanity through the humblest means.

 

This humble birth was marked by an angelic announcement, declaring Jesus as the bringer of peace to the earth. His mission was twofold: to reconcile humanity with God through His death and resurrection and to spread that peace into the world.

 

Jesus’ followers are called to carry this peace, advocating for the vulnerable and helping those in need. Peace is not passive; it is active and transformational.

3. Peace That Surpasses Understanding (Philippians 4:6-9)

Paul’s letter to the Philippians teaches us the way to experience peace: prayer and thoughtfulness. When we pray, we trust God with our circumstances. This trust fosters unity, strengthens relationships, and provides a sense of calm assurance that God is in control.

 

Paul also urges us to focus on what is good, pure, and true. Meditating on God’s Word transforms our hearts, aligning our lives with His will. As we live out these truths, the “God of Peace” promises to be with us, guiding us to be peacemakers in the world.

Living in God’s Peace

Advent invites us to reflect on the prophecies and events surrounding Jesus’ first appearing as we prepare for His return. Through His humble birth in Bethlehem, Jesus became the source of peace for a broken world.

 

We are reminded: God’s promise of peace came through the unlikely town of Bethlehem.

Peace was born in humble circumstances, proclaimed by angels to shepherds.

As we wait for Jesus’ return, we experience peace through prayer, unity, and trust in God.

 

Where in your life do you need God’s peace? Ask this question in prayer, seek His guidance, and act on it. True peace—wholeness, restoration, and reconciliation—can only be found in Jesus.

Final Thought

Our world is out of alignment, pulled off its foundation by sin. Yet Jesus, the Prince of Peace, began the process of restoration with His first coming. He dealt with sin and reconciled us to God, and He will return to make all things new.

 

In the meantime, we live as agents of peace: forgiving, restoring, and pointing others to the hope found in Christ. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is with us. Let us bring His peace into the world.

A Light in the Darkness

 

In 2020, a record-breaking “megaflash” of lightning illuminated the skies over the southern United States, stretching an astounding 477.2 miles. This extraordinary event reminds us of the unique power of light to pierce even the vastest darkness. While most lightning bolts are brief and localized, megaflashes span regions, carrying light and energy far beyond the typical bounds of a thunderstorm.

 

This phenomenon provides a vivid illustration of biblical prophecy. Many Old Testament prophecies addressed the immediate needs of their audience—like a flash of light offering momentary guidance. Yet some of these prophecies, such as Isaiah’s announcement of the coming Messiah, resemble megaflashes, illuminating not just their own time but stretching forward to our present day. These promises reveal God’s plan to bring hope and redemption to His creation.

 

Advent: A Season of Hope

The season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It reminds us that we worship a God who keeps His promises. Advent focuses on hope, peace, joy, and love, helping us reflect on the profound truth of God’s promise to save and transform His creation.

 

But how can we be confident that God will keep His promise to return, restore justice, defeat evil, and make everything right? The answer lies in the fact that God has already kept His promise by sending Jesus.

 

A Prophetic Light in the Darkness

In Isaiah 9:2-7, the prophet speaks of a coming light breaking into the darkness of judgment and exile. This light, Isaiah declares, will be a child born to bring peace, justice, and hope.

 

The Messiah, Isaiah foretells, will have titles that signify His divine and royal role:

• Wonderful Counselor: He offers wisdom and guidance beyond human understanding.

• Mighty God: He embodies the strength and victory of God Himself.

• Everlasting Father: He will reign with the eternal care of the loving Father.

• Prince of Peace: He will usher in a reign of wholeness and restoration.

 

Centuries later, in Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel delivers this same promise to Mary, a young girl in a small town. The news is unexpected and overwhelming: she will give birth to the Savior. Yet Mary responds with faith, declaring, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Her willingness to trust God’s promise becomes the bridge by which the light enters the world.

 

Living as Children of the Light

The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:8-9, reminds believers that we are no longer in darkness because of Jesus. Instead, we are called to live as people of the light—repenting of sin, loving others, and living lives of goodness, righteousness, and truth. In doing so, we reflect the hope of Christ to a world still shrouded in darkness.

 

Isaiah’s prophecy pointed forward to Jesus, the light who brings wisdom, love, and hope. Now, as followers of Jesus, we carry that light into the world. In every act of kindness, every word of truth, and every step of faith, we reveal the hope of God’s promises.

 

The Hope That Sustains Us

Hope, rooted in God’s promises, is essential for enduring life’s challenges. It assures us that darkness will not last forever, that evil will be defeated, and that God’s new creation will one day be fully realized. As Revelation 21:3-4 declares:

“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

 

Until that day, we live in hope, holding fast to the faithfulness of the One who promised.

 

Challenge: Embracing the Light of Hope

This week, take time each day to thank God for the hope we have in Jesus:

• Hope for eternal life.

• Hope for transformation.

• Hope for the forgiveness of sins.

• Hope for the defeat of evil.

• Hope for the new creation.

 

By focusing on these truths, we allow the light of God’s promises to penetrate the darkness in our hearts and the world around us.

 

Final Thought

In a world often engulfed in darkness, the promises of God shine like a megaflash, illuminating the way forward. The same God who sent Jesus to bring light to the world will fulfill His promise to return and make all things new. Until then, we live as children of the light, reflecting hope, goodness, and truth to a world in need of His redeeming love.

From the Sandbox to the Beach: Embracing God’s Greater Purpose

 

“We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

— C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

We often settle for a life that is far less than the one God wants us to live.

Christians in America have settled for a life of mere moral living—attending Sunday worship (if we have nothing else to do), giving a few dollars (if we can spare it), and having a morning quiet time (mainly so we can post it to Instagram). We have made Christianity something that we do rather than something that defines who we are. In the process, we have settled for life in the sandbox when God wants to take us to the beach.

The problem, as I see it, is that we don’t understand that God promises us something more than what we dream of having. He intends for our lives to have purpose and for us to influence our little part of the world. God created us to be part of something larger than ourselves.

What did God create us to do?

He created us to be part of His Kingdom and to be united with other Christians as we make disciples. This is how we make a positive impact in the world we live in.

As my understanding of this reality has grown, the excitement and hope in my heart have grown as well. The reason I get excited is because I want to be a good steward of this life that God has given me. I don’t want to waste my life sitting in front of a screen, scrolling away while chuckling at a few videos. I want to live a life that impacts those around me and makes their lives better.

I don’t want to settle for a life in the sandbox. I want to accept God’s invitation to the beach.

Acts 20:18-24 (CSB)
When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. 

“And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”

The apostle Paul knew he was created for a purpose, and he lived his life to fulfill the calling that God had placed on him.

It is true that not everyone has a specific calling like Paul, who was called to be God’s instrument for taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, but I do think we can learn from his life. I want to point out two truths about accepting God’s calling on our lives.

The first truth is that living out our calling isn’t going to be easy. We often have this idea that since this is what God has called us to do, and because it will align with our talents and abilities, it will come easily. But that is not the case. The enemy will oppose us every step of the way, and we will have to fight through distractions, disappointments, difficulties, and detours to do what God has called us to do. No matter how hard it might be, it will be worth the effort.

The second truth is that we will only discover the meaning of our lives through living out our calling. Why are we here? Questions like these are answered as we do what God has called us to do. Paul said that his life had “no value” apart from living out his calling. Our value is found in being faithful to the call God has placed on our lives.

We may not have been called like the Apostle Paul, but God has still called us to follow Jesus, to live faithful lives, and to be united with the Church in making disciples. In our commitment to the mission of Jesus, we discover the meaning of our lives.

We are created for something bigger than ourselves. The call to be a disciple of Jesus is more than a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship. To be a follower of Jesus means that we join Him in the work He is doing in the world. This is the way we discover a life of purpose and meaning.

It is time to stop playing in the mud and accept God’s invitation to go to the beach.