Despite the odds, a season of hope
Advent
Christmas lights are already sparkling and beckoning delight, bells are jingling and gingerbread men and other fragrant baked goodies are all making a welcome return for this festive season.
‘Tis the season to be merry and for our favourite, contemporary carols to be sung. At our residence, Celine Dion’s mesmerising Christmas album will surely make a timely appearance to reignite the spirit of the season, while Andrea Bocelli’s voice will transcend mortality, revealing a bit of the divine. Elsewhere, as usual, Mariah, no doubt, will be belting out her Christmas anthem, letting us know, in no uncertain terms, what she wants for Christmas.
Advent, celebrated as it is in the run-up to Christmas is a time of great joy, expectation, faith and hope. In essence, advent means the arrival of a special person or thing. Traditionally, it has been a celebration of the initial coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, but also a time of reflection on his prophetic Second Coming.
Israel and Christian roots
The attack on Israel of 7 October this year placed renewed, laser -sharp emphasis on Jewish life and the roots of our Christian faith. Our world has been mired in a lot of uncertainty of late and for some, there is plenty to induce anxiety going into 2024.
The mood is sombre, more with the pang of the Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ song, “Christmas without you,” than the exuberant “Joy to the world” to be honest.
In fact, many find themselves teetering on the edge of the abyss of darkness – doubt, despair and hopelessness. Economies the world over are taking strain, artificial intelligence threatens livelihoods, and while the promises of the digital world are enticing, starting an online business is tough.
Folks are having a torrid time trying to juggle and keep balls in the air. The battle, to keep heads above water and family lives afloat, seems that much harder. The barrage of bad news constantly bombarding one has also taken its toll.
Mother with child
While walking in our neighbourhood recently, I stumbled upon the most delicate, cute, knitted beanie of a little one. Looking up, I saw a young mother and dashed over to return it to her.
I quickly discovered circumstances in her life rendered her in dire straits, despairing as she was about the whereabouts of her child’s father. As a stay-at-home mother, one can imagine her anguish.
Without recourse to relevant resources at the time myself, I offered to pray, which was promptly refused. She mentioned that she was a Christian, but you see she said, prayer did not help.
She had heard nothing from her partner these past two weeks, was at her wits end and felt so alone and abandoned: her situation dark. In the end, she allowed me to pray and I asked God to reveal himself as El Roi, the God who sees.
The God who sees
The God who provided for Hagar amid her distress in the desert mirrored this situation. Hagar’s source of livelihood was also found in the father of her child who had now allowed her to be sent away into the wilderness. Hagar too, was certain of impending doom.
God intervened, provided for her and as before, reminded her of the time he revealed himself to her as the “God who sees”. In the midst of the most terrible feelings of abandonment and hopelessness, the God who sees had made himself known.
He is God who has always come to the rescue. I pray that the situation of that young mother I met on the street has also been changed. I continue to pray for her still.
Good news for any season
The motif of mother and child is powerful, indeed. Immediately, it takes me to Nazareth, to an angelic visit and the mother-to-be who had been informed that she had found favour with God and would be with child. The good news of the Gospel and this season, in particular, is that a Saviour was born. One who came to be like one of us to relate to us in our humanity.
I believe in the power of prayer and the wonder that is the Word of God. As a consequence, in a succession of posts over advent, I will be examining the tropes of faith, hope and peace, all synonymous with this season from a slightly different perspective.
Hopefully, it will resonate with those of us who have seen more summers and winters than we expect to see going forward, yet have found the courage to embark upon new ventures despite being petrified, but quietly determined to follow our hearts.
Following the whispers of our hearts
At our age, some of us are giving another career path a last shot, others are endeavouring to fulfil lifelong dreams or, as part of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, yet others are at the point of self-actualisation.
It may have stemmed from entirely different triggers or motivating factors, but we feel sorely in need of a reset or that a significant pivot is required, yet find ourselves in a tumultuous world ushered in post-Covid-19.
Yes, the world is irrevocably changed now. Perhaps that was a watershed moment, a wake-up call of sorts. While taking the time to reflect upon what made life truly worth living through that period; decisions to take the leap of faith to a more fulfilling life was the only recourse imaginable.
For any Christian who feels that their course of action will mean getting out of his/her comfort zone, a copious amount of faith in God is required. I have detailed some parts of my journey in previous posts so won’t repeat it here.
In a nutshell, I decided to pursue other interests last year. At the time, I felt that where I was heading professionally was diametrically opposite to what my heart was whispering.
Contemplating a new course
I did not have fixed plans at the time: I contemplated resting for a bit, followed by a dip into content creation. Other concrete decisions were left for an indeterminate time. I fell headlong into the world of content creation and the idea that once could and earn diverse sources of income from these endeavours was intoxicating.
Yet, a year later, I am in a bit of a quandary. It was definitely not easy. Am I better off? In some ways, yes. Financially, I need a serious injection of cash; skills-wise, I am so grateful to have taken the leap.
Has it been scary? Absolutely, the fears have multiplied, but I have also had to find new ways to trust God through it.
Anxiety has been more prevalent recently. Driven, in part, by other people’s opinions of me and the lingering doubt of whether I heard God clearly in the beginning. But my wayward, anxious thoughts were settled and peace of mind returned as soon as I remembered that God is always in control, He is my source and I need to implicitly trust him with my whole life.
Searching for spiritual help
During a rather difficult time, when doubt was particularly running amok and I was beset with fears, I took a trip to our local Christian bookstore in an effort to glean some spiritual insight and hope for the journey. It came up surprisingly empty.
I remember trying to find a book for those trying to plot a new course – for the new breed of creators: nascent wordsmiths, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, etc. – and frustratingly, like Cinderella’s prince searching for the beauty he had met at a ball, I found very little on the topic.
There is a lot of guidance for the exciting beginning and success at the end, but for the messy, middling bits in the middle when faith is sorely needed; there is not much.
I have made it my business to compile a list of Scriptures for Advent along with practical tips garnered from experts, suitable for well into 2024. Hopefully, these will help us, especially wannabe digital solopreneurs, to rely on God during the process.
Facing the challenges
Because, the challenges presented by an increasingly fast-paced world, where technologically savvy, young people are making their mark and driving conversation and innovation, may make us, as individuals, feel inadequate to the task and to be honest, a bit like an old fossil or dinosaur.
Life issues affecting us, who are undoubtedly slowing down, mean that the challenges are hitting thick and fast. Artificial intelligence has, indeed, exposed us to new fears and frontiers.
I never imagined that all the work I put into my education and training would be upended by machine learning and that future earnings would be placed into jeopardy. It is all extremely scary, no matter where in the spectrum we fall.
But, as Christians, we need not fear or feel alone. We have One who has seen it all coming and has been preparing our unique journeys all along. We can trust Him and rely on His Word.
That said, may the very Word of God inspire us so that during this season of Advent, His Word will speak to and inspire us anew. Let us boldly hold on to Him and trust for the provision of our needs.
And draw encouragement from the popular saying:
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