Reflecting on Advent

Well it is now finals week on WVU's campus. This semester's student appointments and on campus time are now over, and I am focusing more on fund development, Urbana, and prepping for next semester. As I begin to settle in to this advent season I thought I would share of one of my reflections of the season.

In an attempt to gain more of an appreciation of Advent I began reading "Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen". Each chapter coincides with the day of advent and offers insight and biblical reading and reflection for the day. One that struck me in particular was titled "Do you love me?"

In this chapter Nouwen begins by saying we must remember the commandment to love our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, which is indeed the 1st commandment. He continues on in sharing how often times we love other will all our heart, mind, and soul while trying to remember God. This in fact is a terrible fallacy on our part! The Bible clearly tells us to be in a much more radical state of mind where we are to love God and God alone with all we are, our hearts minds and souls, and nothing else!

What a thought! I reflected on this a bit and it came to me that I do in fact try to love others and remember God, where it should be the other way around. How often do we find ourselves in constant motion in trying to help those around us, to care for them and love them well, and yet feel an emptiness in side. Like none of it really matters. Why so downcast O my soul? Because you have forgotten to love God first, above all others, and singly.

Does this mean we should only be concerned with our relationship with God and not love those around us, fight for injustice, or care for the poor and voiceless? Far be it! What this means is that we MUST first put our relationship with God before all others and all things. He must be our life's focus. When we do that fully, give him everything we are and have, the rest will fall into place. The 2nd commandment Jesus says is like the first and that we should love others like ourselves.

When we love God first and give him everything, he gives us His heart and eyes for the rest of the world and those around us. He gives us leading to care for others, calls us to help those who have no voice of their own, and bring a piece of restoration to our world. And then, he calls us to himself, to take time out and spend time with him, to rest in him, and allow him to restore our bodies and souls.

So where do you fit here? Are you loving others before God, even if unintentionally? Or do you find yourself constantly yearning for the Father's voice resting in him and following his leading in life?

I admit the former is me. I often find myself tired and not wanting to fulfill the mission. I get tired easily of being around people, and will fall so deeply that I don't even care about them anymore. But by God's grace he knows what we need the most, and reminds me in those times of weariness where my loyalties lie, and helps me to correct them.

May the remainder of Advent bring you full surrender to Jesus, and a refreshed listening ear and heart to what he may be teaching you during the season.