Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Isaiah 35:1-2a, 3-4a – The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. … Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who are of fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!”  Here is your God. (NRSV)

Throughout the season of Advent, we focus on four different themes, one each Sunday: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  And yet, you’ll notice that many of our carols mention two or more of these blessings, sometimes in the same line.  And that reflects the truth that it’s hard to separate these themes from one another.  This passage from Isaiah, selected for the lectionary on Joy Sunday, speaks to Hope as well, telling the Israelites in exile what it will be like to return home.

But that Hope of return is impossible to separate from the Joy it brings, just as we cannot imagine Peace without the presence of Love.  Have you been out to the desert when the spring rains have finally come and the wildflowers are blooming?  The relief that the rain beings sparks Hope and Joy.  It can make even the weary among us feel like dancing.

But the passage also reminds us that sometimes Joy requires courage.  If the proper response to what God is doing in our world is dancing, we have to figure out how to strengthen our feeble knees.  And if that doesn’t work, you can “finger dance” from your chair, even if your hands feel weak.  Sometimes it’s our hearts that need encouragement to respond to God with joy.  It’s the voice of the angel, isn’t it?  Saying “Do not fear!  God is here!”  That is, after all, what all this hopepeacejoylove is leading up to: Emmanuel – God with us!

So let us invite the Holy Spirit to lead us in the dance, whether it involves leaps of joy or enthusiastic finger dancing.  Let us open our hearts to the One Coming into the World!