CHRIST'S HOPE

Jon Lim, Bowridge Site Pastor

Christmas is upon us! Who can ignore the Starbucks drinks, the Christmas jingles, and the reds and greens that characterize this month? There is joy in celebrating together! Let’s not forget what the advent season is preparing us for: Christ’s birth, and Christ’s second coming.

Advent is a season where Christians reflectively prepare. The word ‘Advent’ has a relationship with the word ‘adventure’. Risk amidst danger. Perilous undertaking. When adventure is over, we look back and see wonders, miracles and marvels. The invitation in Advent is to invest in the perilous undertaking of boldly looking at your soul with Christ. According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”

What troubles your soul this season? Maybe it's finances? Or mental health? Broken or lost relationships? Maybe the future seems murky. Or some sobriety has come to you as past actions have bitterly come past due.

Come, acknowledge where you’re at before Christ. Acknowledge that there are many tasty options that offer to soothe your soul - drinks, parties, shopping, being naughty, being nice, wrapping oneself in pop-sparkly media. These things aren’t bad, but if they take the place of Christ and become our soothing, saving one, then that is offensive to Christ and unhealthy for you and I.

Let us put our hope in Christ! Let us expect that our desires can and will be met perfectly by Jesus. Let us grow in confidence for Jesus and his second coming!

"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!" (Psalm 31:24 NLT)

RockPointe, be strong! Like going to the gym, the troubles of your soul can be a strengthening exercise God is doing in you. Are you intentionally looking in the mirror as God challenges you to lift up your soul in the midst of troubles? What keeps recurring? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about your form? Is your form downcast, weak, unable to see your coach and trainer, Jesus? Exercise strength and confidence knowing that God is your help and shield (Psalm 33:20).

RockPointe, be courageous! Take heart! When the temptation to self-soothe negatively arises, be alert. What is God up to in your heart in this season? Choose to stand against the simple soothers of this world that seek to replace Jesus. Turn to Jesus and declare him your perfect soother who is full of grace, compassion and justice! (Isaiah 8:17)

RockPointe, put your hope in the Lord! It is Christ who clothes and defends you. Remember the armor of God: truth, righteousness, the ability to share the gospel, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:11-17). Remember His Spirit teaches you how to walk full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25).

Be strong, be full of courage, put your hope in Christ! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)!