Advent day 8

Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11          Advent day 8

              The world at large seems to love things that are black and white. We seem to congregate around the poles, liberal, conservative; gay, straight; good and bad. The world isn't that way however. Nature abounds in the beauty of the diversity of life, God's magnificent creation.

              In Paul's epistle to the people of Philippi, he speaks of the good work that has begun in them.

Rarely is a true conversion one of dramatic change, rather it involves a journey. You don't go from totally bad to totally good, nothing is that black and white. Even for a recovering alcoholic, the lack of alcohol might be an abrupt change but the process of sobriety is a constant 'battle' if you will, a journey to wholeness that we all go through in one way or another. It involves introspection, learning, awareness and all sorts of things that are part of 'the journey'. We simply don't become enlightened with all knowledge all in one shot. Life in no way is simply black or white.

             Like the people of Philippi, we must first accept and receive the message about ourselves, about life and about God's love for us. Then the journey begins. It is in fact a journey with side trips and mis-steps and perhaps some real falling down. That does not diminish the acceptance of the message or negate our journey. Once we accept who we are, once we try to reach the wholeness that God wishes us to have, wishes us to be actually, we move along as an imperfect being simply trying. Growing? yes. Stumbling? yes. Loving? yes, always trying to love and willing to be loved.

             During this Advent, recommit to the journey, start on the journey, redirect your journey. Know that it all starts with acceptance and do not fall into the societal trap that everything is black or white. The journey is in God's world of color, one might say a rainbow.

Brothers and sisters:

I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,

because of your partnership for the gospel

from the first day until now.

I am confident of this,

that the one who began a good work in you

will continue to complete it

until the day of Christ Jesus.

God is my witness,

how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer:

that your love may increase ever more and more

in knowledge and every kind of perception,

to discern what is of value,

so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness

that comes through Jesus Christ

for the glory and praise of God.