Advent, Part 4

Advent, Part 4
Saturday, December 14, 2024 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Contemporary issues / Encouraging words / Hope in Christ / The church / Thought for Today

In this season of hope and joy, a time of preparation for Christ’s return, what are we thankful for?

Perhaps family comes to mind. Or maybe the ability to work and a job where you can work. Do you have a particular skill that you are good at? We tend to forget that anything and everything good that we have is a gift we’ve been given. Even the ability to study, to learn a skill, is a gift from God (see 1 Corinthians 4:7).

For me, one of the gifts God has given is the ability to play a couple musical instruments well. One of the fun things I’m getting to do this Advent season is to do two special performances on mountain dulcimer for two different groups. While I do play it most Sundays for church, these two opportunities will be far more involved.

In years gone by I used to participate in special events during Advent. I’m thinking particularly of some years where I was musically involved in four services on Christmas Eve (quite a marathon, but a lot of fun: it lasted from about 3:00 P.M. until just after Midnight). But that season has long-since passed.

Since moving to my current location, doing special presentations hasn’t been an option, until this year. I’m both excited and grateful for the two opportunities. Hopefully, by God’s grace, I’ll be able to bless those who hear it. As just mentioned, even the ability to play an instrument is via God’s grace, His gift.

As such there truly isn’t any room for boasting, of thinking “Aren’t I great, aren’t I…” Focusing on self is a recipe for disaster. Rather, it is better to focus on God, to be thankful for gifts He’s given, and using them accordingly. Doing so also helps us maintain a better perspective.

Maybe we desire to be used in some big special way. If one’s gift is in athletics maybe one wishes to become a professional athlete. But if that doesn’t happen, it isn’t a reflection on that person, or on “us”. If God closes a specific door, it is for our best. He knows what He is doing with the gifts He has given us, and the best ways for those gifts to be used. At any moment, that may or may not be what we might wish, but sometimes what we wish for isn’t really in our long-term best interest.

How much better to trust God with the gifts He’s given us, and to ask for His wisdom in how to use them, and keep our focus on Him.

Each one of us has so much to be grateful for. During this season of Advent, let us focus on gratitude for what God has given us, and especially HIs greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ.

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