Advent: He is Able -Thursday, December 12
And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Three generations of family arrived at the counseling center to address both present and inter-generational issues in their families. I have rarely seen this in the 19 years we have been in the ministry. Normally, people go for counseling individually, as a couple for marital counseling, or as a couple with young children. If a couple does come with their teenage children, it is often with reluctance on the part of the teenager. But with this family, all three generations were willing participants in the teaching and counseling. I was both amazed and touched by what I saw.
I was touched because this is the vision my husband, Rick, and I have for my Aboriginal people. Our vision is of whole families seeking help and receiving Godly teaching on issues of life. One of the foundational principles in our teaching is that each person is created in the image of God. So, part of our teaching is affirming this in each person. Pain and abuse distort the sense of being in an individual. Healing needs to be part of knowing that each one of us is created in the image of our Creator.
As exciting as this family was, it can also be challenging to work with three generations. However, our conviction is that God is able to heal families. God heals and brings freedom through Biblical counsel and teaching. Rick and I believe this is only possible because Jesus came. It is why we can teach with conviction. Jesus came to us the night he was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He came to save us from fallen humanity.
Isaiah said this of Jesus’ coming birth, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). He continues, “And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6).
Take heart this season! God, through his Son, Jesus, has come to our world. He knows our pain. He knows our struggles. Be encouraged!
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you came into my world to give me hope and peace. This peace comes from knowing you are the Almighty God and also a God who knows my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.