Advent: Landscapes - Monday, December 30
And John went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. . . “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Luke 3:3-6
I have had the joy of sharing the love of God with many people over the past few years. It would take me several pages to describe the beautiful landscapes I have seen during those trips. It would take me even more pages to tell you about the beautiful people I have met in those places.
I have many pictures from those locations. I enjoy looking at them because they remind me to pray for my friends there. Even though these people live in many of the most spectacular areas of our country, some of their lives are filled with pain and brokenness. There are deep dark valleys of shame and death, high mountains of fear and doubt; crooked people and lifestyles that hurt them and rough financial roads that leave them hungry and homeless. These people often feel like they live in a wilderness. And many do. It is a spiritual wilderness full of wild animals and thirst.
So, I pray for the Navajo families in Houck and Canyon de Chelly (Shay), Arizona; the Makah community in Neah Bay, Washington; 35 young Inupiat VBS students in Kiana, Alaska; the 44 Native Alaskans at Summer Teen Camp; the Oneida in Northeastern Wisconsin; the Cherokee of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; the Haskell Indian Nations University students in Lawrence, Kansas.
During the days of Advent – and EVERY DAY – let us be like John the Baptist. Go into “all the regions” God sends you to proclaim His message of love and grace. Go and prepare the way of the Lord because one day, “all flesh will see the salvation of God.” May all who hear this message of hope and salvation receive it so they can have joy in this life and live in the beautiful landscape of Heaven forever!
Father, use us to announce Your Good News and help those around us. Amen.