WAY MAKER
Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. Sometimes the preparation is surface level -- we decorate our homes, place presents under the tree, get stuck in the hustle and bustle between work and holiday parties. The focus instead is on the things, the to do lists, gifts to buy, the “busy” of Christmas and not the Who of Christmas.
What if, instead of preparing for the things of Christmas, we slowed down a bit and took time to prepare our hearts? Advent is a season of preparation and also a time to remind ourselves Who we are living for, a time to reorient ourselves to worship a King, a time to humbly ask Jesus to be the light in the darkness, to be our “Way Maker.”
My favorite form of prayer is music and lately, I’ve been belting out “Way Maker” by Leeland. These lyrics are powerful and have and continue to completely wreck my heart:
“Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, that is who You are…I worship You.”
That’s the King of the Universe we are preparing for - a miracle worker, a promise keeper, the light in the darkness. Maybe like me, 2019 hasn’t exactly been an easy year for you. 2019 is the year that my spiritual director moved away. It’s the year that I’ve continued to stand cheering from the sidelines and watch good friends get engaged, start families, watch God fulfill promises for them and think to myself, “Why not me?” This is the year that my job changed (for the better), ministry in the valley was in turmoil and well -- it’s been tough. I’ve lost hope at times - lost my light. Maybe for you, 2019 has been similar. I see you. God sees you.
So, here I stand -- my heart aching but clinging to the hope and promise of Advent. Jesus, by entering into our humanness and moving in our midst, creates that light in the darkness. Those promises He placed on your heart, He will keep them. He is the way maker, miracle worker -- He is God.
So, in this Advent season -- are we preparing for the miracle worker to enter into our lives? Are we making way for the King of Kings to be our light in the darkness?
Jesus is the light. Make way for Him this Advent season. I encourage you to pray with “Way Maker” - the Holy Spirit, Jesus, God. He’s here moving in our midst. Let us worship Him, prepare for Him, and be ready for Him to radically transform our lives.
Saint Lucy, on your feast day, give me the eyes to see that light in the darkness, to be a light for others and to shine endless joy to the world. Amen.
Natalie Nathan
Leeland - “Way Maker”