Always Getting Ready
Sunday, November 30
Matthew 24:36, 42-44
Photographer James Barker followed the Yup’ik Eskimo of Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta through the cycle of their year, beginning with spring seal hunting and ending with the winter dancing that celebrates life on the land. In the words of Yup’ik Agnes Kelly Bostrom, their life is characterized by “always getting ready,” which is the title of Barker’s book. In the years I lived in rural Alaska, among Indigenous people in the Arctic, I experienced this reality where flexibility, patience, waiting, and working coincide with each other for a meaningful life of community, spirituality, and subsistence from the land and waters. When the fish are in, you fish; when the plane lands, you head to the airport, though the exact arrival times are unsure. Jesus’s discourse in response to his disciples’ questions about time and dates of his return and the end of the age echo this sentiment, calling us to always be getting ready. Though the day and time is unknown, the occasion is certain, and we can find joy in preparing, watching, and waiting.
Lord, help us fix our eyes on Jesus, confident of your return to come—and your presence in our midst today by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dressed And Ready
Monday, December 1
Romans 13:11-14
“How much longer?!” These are familiar words for anyone who has taken a hike, road trip, or flight with youngsters who are simultaneously expectant, impatient, and tiring. When our children were young, we fielded this question often as long drives and flights were commonplace in our life in Alaska. I knew if I revealed the actual remaining duration of the journey, whining or revolt would ensue. So I would respond cheerfully, “We’re getting clooooser!” Paul assures us that we, Christ’s followers, are getting closer. He compares our journey toward our eternal existence in God’s presence as a new day whereby we wake from our slumber and prepare for the day ahead. We get dressed and ready, clothed with armor of light and the garments of Christ.
Lord Jesus, empower me today to resist the desires that draw me toward darkness. I desire to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience today as I live as in your light. Amen.
Ready For Pilgrimage
Tuesday, December 2
Isaiah 2:1-5
Isaiah’s vision in this passage draws on imagery from the annual pilgrimages faithful Jews would make to Jerusalem, situated on a high hill for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals. However, in this pilgrimage, all is enlarged and magnified. Ultimately, the temple will sit on a mountain, and the travelers resemble a multiethnic river flowing of people from “all nations” (v. 2). In verse 3, we see an excitement, an urging—“Come, let’s go!” Within the walls of God’s temple—his dwelling place—will be wisdom, justice, righteousness, and peace between people, as well as between nations. What a beautiful vision. Yesterday we were dressed for the journey, and today we receive an invitation to walk in the light of the Lord. Will you go? Invite another to walk the path with you. We can leave our weapons behind—or better yet, upcycle them for a harvest of peace and joy.
Lord, today may we stream toward your mountain on the walkway of your light. Help us to lay down our weapons of hatred, gossip, malice, unforgiveness, and pride. We trade them for tools of sowing and reaping your harvest in our new mountain home. Amen.
Ready For Praise
Wednesday, December 3
Psalm 122:1-5
On road trips, my children will become the trip DJ, choosing songs to accompany us on the way. This grew out of a pattern in their teen years when their dad would choose a theme song for a trip or vacation and play it multiple times during the ride, eventually triggering the cacophonous, “Again, Dad?!” But now, these songs are associated with the good memories of journeying together. Psalm 122 is one of ten psalms called “Songs of Ascent,” or “pilgrim songs,” as they served as the worship book for pilgrims journeying toward Jerusalem. This ancient “playlist” made the long, difficult travel more fun, memorable, and bearable and served as reminders of God’s goodness in everyday life. In verse 1, the songwriter is remembering the excitement of the invitation and the beginning of the journey that we read about yesterday. At this point, they have reached the outer gates of their destination, but there’s still some distance to go through the city. For this last stretch, David recalls the statute of the Lord given to Israel so they might praise his name.
Lord, you are worthy of my praise today. Amen.
Ready To Pray
Thursday, December 4
Psalm 122:6-10
At Jerusalem’s outer gates, the pilgrim-songwriter gives an imperative: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (v. 6). He longs for security and peace within the walls of the city, with families and friends. As he looks forward to arriving at the temple, he is aware of the divisions present in their midst as they travel through the dense streets. This reality persists in new and old forms today. We heed this call to pray for peace in the midst of the beauty and pain of God’s relationship with his people. The motivation for flourishing is not rooted in political or economic power, but for “the sake of the house of the LORD our God” (v. 9). Jesus taught his followers that they are being built into a spiritual house and that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. As believers, we are a royal priesthood, serving as mediators in a broken world in need of consolation and reconciliation.
Lord, we pray for our own town, church, and neighborhood, for your peace to find a home for the glory of your name. Amen.
Ready The Way Of The Lord
Friday, December 5
Isaiah 40:1-5
Each June, Covenant Bible Camp, located upriver from the village of Unalakleet hosts approximately 350 children and youth from western Alaska over a four-week period. Sojourners to camp catch a flight into the village on a small airplane and then drive out on a seven-mile gravel road via pickup truck, four-wheeler, or van. The road, initially built to service a radar site during the Cold War, is no longer maintained by the government, and it shows. It passes over hilly tundra, covered by snow for much of the year. Large potholes, water erosion, and the undulating condition of the terrain make the ride to camp a rough experience. It is what awaits those who endure the windy, jostling, bumpy ride that quickens the heart—the presence of God experienced in creation, worship, and connections with others. Today’s passage calls us to anticipate and prepare for the day when roadblocks to experiencing the fullness of God’s glory will be no more.
Lord, show us how we can help remove barriers that keep us and others from flourishing in your goodness. Help us to hold onto the hope of your glory ahead as we traverse a difficult road now. Amen.
Getting Ready For Glory
Saturday, December 6
Isaiah 40:6-11
The contrasts in this passage are stunning, like the giant fire-red Oriental poppies that adorn my driveway. I anticipate their bloom for weeks, observing the large stems towering over the other flowers in the bed. Within days, more than thirty of the beauties open their large, fiery petals to reveal delicate, intricate, dark seed pods. I revel in their beauty for what seems like just a moment. Each flowilts within just days of its appearing. The beauty and fragility of the grass and flowers, which represent God’s faithful people, is juxtaposed with the enduring nature of God’s Word. God’s power, might, and reward are coupled with his tenderness and gentleness. And here we are to give witness to it all! Those who have been bearers of the good news, who have waited, prepared, endured, and made ready the way, will proclaim, “Here he is! Here is our God!” The waiting will be over, and we will be shepherded tenderly into the presence of our beloved.
Lord, may we catch sight of our glorious future to give us strength as we wait faithfully for your return. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
