
“The magnificent cosmos is a palace that has the sun and the moon as its lamps and the stars as its candles; time is like a rope or ribbon hung within it, on to which the Glorious Creator each year threads a new world.” – Said Nursi
“Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don’t. You are in good company… You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope.” – John Piper
You can be both optimistic and realistic.
Seeking, hunting without ceasing for light in the darkness.
Flowers and weeds.
They coexist.
As we begin the last month of the year and begin to make “plans” for 2022, do not forego these final days.
Do not forgo any days of the year.
This time of Advent to Christmas holds both celebration and struggle.
They coexist.
Amidst all of the seasons of Advent in life, there is joy to be found in the waiting, wandering and wondering.
And in the searching and seeking, the finding begins in the process itself, not in the arrival.
Take hold of the ropes, ladders and tunnels.
Protest for hope.
Light remains so seek it and allow it to come to and through you.
You may be the rope, ladder or tunnel someone needs today.
a blessing for the advent of hope by Kate Bowler
“o God, these are darkening days, with little hope in sight. o God, help us in our fear and desperation. anchor us in hope!
‘let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.’ —John 14:1
blessed are we with eyes open to see the accumulated suffering of danger, sickness and loneliness,
the injustice of racial oppression, the unimpeded greed and misuse of power, violence, intimidation, and use of dominance for its own sake,
the mockery of truth, and disdain for weakness or vulnerability—and worse the seeming powerlessness of anyone trying to stop it.
blessed are we who ask: where are you God? and where are Your people— the smart and sensible ones who fight for good and have the power to make it stick?
blessed are we who cry out: o God, why does the bad always seem to win? when will good prevail? o God we trust You, for we know You and love You.
for You o Lord, are the One who seeks out the helpless, lifts them on Your shoulders, and carries them home no matter how broken they are, or what wrong they have done.
o God, seek us out, and find us, we your helpless people, and lead us out to where hope lies where your kingdom will come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. for You are the anchor dropped into the future —our future.
open your hands as you release your prayers. then take hold of hope. as protest.”
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