When We Can’t Be Together: An Advent Reminder of Enduring Hope
by David Fawcett
During our middle-school Sunday-school hour Dec. 7 at All Saints' Church (Woodbridge, VA), one of the kids perfectly captured the blessing we receive while waiting in this Advent season.
Usually this time of year, this young girl looks forward to seeing one of her family members. Unfortunately, she won't be able to see that person this Christmas.
She now has a choice to make. Does she choose hope or hopelessness? It's a question we all wrestle with when things don't fall into place the way we'd like them to. And it's trap we can all fall into if we're not careful.
This girl, however, avoided the trap by immediately recognizing the bigger picture. While disappointed she won't be able to spend time with this person like she has in the past, she firmly believed she will see this person again, if not now, then soon.
The reason? Simple. It starts with the relationship she has with this person. It's a relationship rooted in mutual love that is unbreakable no matter the circumstances.
This timeless truth speaks to our relationship with Jesus as well.
As we wait for his second coming, we remain rooted in our faith that we will be reunited with Him no matter how long it takes. And we do so with joy and excitement. How great is that?
In the meantime while we wait, we can find other ways to stay connected with that person. For people still with us, we communicate with them through a variety of ways from in-person encounters to calling, emailing, texting or video chatting.
We can do the same with Jesus. Through prayer, worship, fellowship and reading and mediating on his Word, we are reminded that just because Jesus is not here physically in the moment doesn't mean He is completely absent from our lives. Just the opposite. Through those disciplines, we are drawn even closer to Him.
As a result, our heartfelt desires are still heard. They are still reciprocated. And they last forever.
David Fawcett is a long-time parishioner at All Saints’ Church and co-teacher for the middle school Sunday school class.