Our Advent journey brings us to the little book of Joel, where we read that things are very bad for this group of people who lived in Israel; bad, because they had turned away from God.
The scripture for this week is Joel 2:12-13; 28-29….the key phrase: “Return to the LORD with your whole heart.”
Right now, here in our corner of the world, in 2024, things are not all good either. There is social and political tension. Wildfires and hurricanes have devastated much of the country. Yes, Joel, things are bad here too. What do we do about it?
On Sunday, we’ll unfold Joel’s poem as he answers our questions of “WHAT DO WE DO?”, “HOW DO WE DO IT?” and “WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO THIS?”
Perhaps wildfires, hurricanes, and social unrest can help us hear Joel’s words with different ears. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by these things.Advent is a season where we are invited to take stock of our lives. To “rend open our hearts” and be honest; to embrace this moment as a time of “fasting, weeping and mourning “…a time to turn even deeper into the heart of GOD.
When we turn toward oppression, greed, gluttony, self-indulgence, and violence, it always turns out in pain and suffering for everybody. Joel urges, “Return to the LORD, who is gracious and compassionate”. When we do, it happens! God’s spirit flows! This is the last part of our reading. Watch how it unfolds in verses 28-29: “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.” Who? “Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy; Your old men shall dream dreams. And your young men shall see visions”. “I will pour out my Spirit, even on the male and female slaves.”
Wait, what? Do you know what this means? GOD’S SPIRIT is poured out on EVERYBODY! God’s love knows no boundaries.
Until Sunday, let the words of this poem wash over you,
Pastor Connie
