Advent
December 17, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. –Hebrews 10:10

The will of people as part of the human makeup is much discussed by psychologist as well as theologians. Can we control it or can we not? The will wants what the will wants. And how does God’s will intersect with human will?

Merriam-Webster defines will* as: desire, wish; especially: a desire to act in a particular way:
a: disposition, inclination, liking
b: fleshy or carnal desire: appetite, passion
c: choice, determination, intention

The Greek word translated as “will” in the above scripture, is theléma and most often refers to God’s “preferred-will.”**

Apparently it is God’s preferred-will that God’s people be made pure or holy (I like the word whole) through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I think in most instances being made pure, being made holy, being made whole is a process of interplay between we humans and God as we grow through the love of Christ Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a process that shapes and molds our desires to become what is best for us and what is best for each of us is God’s preferred-will.

As we ponder what we desire the most during this advent season, let us each seek to get in touch with God’s preferred-will for us. We just might find our heart’s desire.

Prayer: Lord, help us find your preferred-will for us this Advent season as we await your coming again. As your will and our wills become one for each of us and among all of us, let us become conduits of your love. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/will

**http://biblehub.com/greek/2307.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.