how the light gets in

We are starting Week 2 of Advent with a look into how the Bible works. Don’t roll your eyes or stop reading – stay with me. Pleeeeeeease!

First, the basics: There are two main parts to the Bible; The Old Testament (before Jesus) and The New Testament (Jesus’ life and after). I’m not going into the argument of whether to interpret the Bible literally, scientifically, etc.

The Bible is a beautiful example of the mastermind Author that God is and how His word is full of purpose and intention. I’m pumped. Can you tell?

It’s no mistake that two of my favorite humans sent me a text relating to the same verse. No mistake, no coincidence; just God.

On Tuesday, Colleen sent me a link to Isaiah 40:3-5 -“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” She told me how her Pastor suggested putting emphasis on IN THE WILDERNESS. Sit with that for a minute and see how it changes the directive of the verse? IN the midst of the crazy, the painful, the sad, the chaos, look for God there. Don’t just look for Jesus in the celebration or healing. Look for Him IN the mess so He can help make a way out.

Which leads me to Josie (a friend I never dreamed I would have), who sent me a link to the song, “Waymaker.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE_M9noEhNE

Isaiah was a prophet in the Old Testament, so his words were written before Jesus walked the Earth. While Jesus lived, he referenced Isaiah a lot. One of Jesus’ friends continued sharing Isaiah’s words even after Jesus had died. Paul wrote a letter to the Romans. An excerpt from that letter was our Second Reading at Mass today.

Paul is encouraging us to look at what was written before for our HOPE. He wants the Romans to know the God of patience and comfort and offer the same to each other.

Here’s where we come in because everyone listening to that reading today, YOU reading it now; we are ALL invited to participate in this overarching, powerful and lovely story of Hope.

Day 8 – My prayer for you right now is that no matter where you are that you will call on God to make a way through it.