The Art of the Moment

      The Advent season is the reminder that hope is not a refuge for fools; rather, it is justified faith in One who makes Himself known to us. Battered by the mockery of skeptics and dazzled by the proofs of scientific method, it is easy to fall into the trap of scoffing at God’s Word and promises, lest we be considered naive or ignorant or deliberately blind to what has been “proven” to be “true.” It is possible to get so wrapped up in discovering the “how’s” of the world around us that we do not think about there also being a “who” and a “why” to take into account.

      I am unashamedly a Child of God-a follower of Jesus. This is the foundation of my life, my assumptions, my knowledge, and my reasoning. My relationship with Jesus is the breath of life for me. From the outside, what I’ve said won’t make sense to a lot of people. There are no words to describe the reality of the experience. Every person, every culture operates with a set of unspoken-sometimes unconscious-presuppositions about the universe and what’s in it. And that makes it more difficult to convey what it is like to walk with God.

      It’s not popular, these days, to have definite beliefs that might not accommodate everyone else’s. The Gospel is uncompromising in its message. I didn’t write the scriptures, and will not apologize for them. God, in whom we live and move and have our being, is the one to ask what’s meant by this passage or that. I’m not about to try to second-guess Him. What I do know beyond doubt is that God loved each of us so much that He sent His Son to live with us and die for us. I know that it is His intention that you and I live with Him forever.

      As Christmas Day approaches, the world looks forward to renewal of hope and the advent of peace. I wish for life and love, health and hope, joy and peace, and the presence of family and friends for each and every one of us.

Note: I wrote this piece in November of 1999, before I became a member of the Religious Society of Friends. I find that I still believe that what I wrote is true, and this is probably the most appropriate place to put it back on the Internet.