This advent season starts within a difficult context around the world, a season of waiting for better times. For many Christians, this season is also filled with expectation for the celebration of Christ’s birth and his kingdom to fully come. Waiting is not something many of us are good at, but as peacemakers, learning to wait and anticipate God’s work of restoration is key.
Psalms 123 (MSG), reflects the expectation of servants waiting for God.
“I look to you, heaven-dwelling God,
look up to you for help.
Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,
like a maiden attending her lady,
We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,
awaiting your word of mercy.
Mercy, God, mercy!
We’ve been kicked around long enough,
Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men,
kicked when we’re down by arrogant brutes.”
There are many things to reflect on this psalm, but I want to highlight just two of them.
One, serving God is all about trusting in God’s mercy and God’s good purposes for the world. We wait in God, knowing that there is good and mercy awaiting, even in difficult times. We wait and follow God’s lead in the world, as God continues to bring the peace and restoration we all need.
Two, there is much oppression and enslavement around us. As peacemakers, we can see the need for liberation, and we have been freed to serve God. This is a God who brings God’s kingdom through unexpected ways, not by force nor oppression, but by love and self-sacrifice.
This advent season reminds us that God’s purposes develop in the intimacy of the encounter between and an angel and an adolescent girl willing to become God’s servant. The good news of salvation is firstly announced to marginalized shepherds, and it all happens to people under the oppression of the Roman Empire. God works out his mercy in unexpected ways. God invites us to wait for God’s mercy and participate in the liberation and peace of God’s kingdom. May this advent season help us anticipate and participate God’s mercy to all creation.
Alejandra Ortiz,
Global Immersion Special Advisor
(Image by Scott Erickson)