Getting Ready

Today is due to be the busiest day of the year for internet shopping. Huge numbers of people will be spending loads of money, apparently on new iPads and tablets. For many, who have spare spending capacity, this is a very exciting time of the year.

And others will be wondering if they will be able to cope with family pressures or financial problems that are getting worse, as the 'festive season' approaches. Food banks, crisis loans, heightened expectations, children and young people trying to keep up with their friends and much else suggest this is the worst time in the year for many.

And what might devoted followers of Jesus be thinking or doing?

The Advent season, which is looking beyond our annual remembrance of the first coming of Jesus, to his glorious and climactic return as Judge and Saviour, is a startling wake up call to get our own priorities in order. As we were powerfully reminded in yesterday's worship, there are some things which must be addressed. St. Paul, writing to friends in Rome, has a direct challenge. 'Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armour of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.' (Romans 13.11-14)

Each day, as we get ready for the Coming Day of Jesus' return as King, let us deliberately submit our wills to His, so that He lives his life through ours. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armour of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see.

That means choosing not to do some things. Don’t participate in the darkness of . . . . . We can add our own contemporary examples of deeds of darkness - such as self-indulgent greed and excessive consumption. That way, we will be getting ready, in our inner lives, to be shaped by the Jesus we worship.

What a privilege!
Best wishes,

Richard