Advent
November 30, 2021
Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Refiner’s fire and fullers’ soap are purifying agents. Metal removed from the earth is melted, and any non-metallic particles are removed, increasing the metal’s strength. The COVID pandemic has had many negative impacts, but it also seems to have made people reconsider what is important to them as they consider the life they have left to live. Malachi is suggesting that we apply this concept to our states of being. Recently I moved a chest in my bedroom because I noticed a small book caught between it and the wall. It is Parker J. Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. I have read and appreciated other books by Palmer but had no idea where this one came from or how I got it. It was published in 2000 about the time I struggled with feelings that the work I had been doing was morphing into something that at least missed my life goals. I do not remember reading the book, and it looks brand new. I eventually chose to take early retirement in 2004 and pursue the Commissioned Ministry program available in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I served as an Associate at a church for seven years, then retired a second time to devote my time to advocacy.
I am reading the Palmer book slowly and thoughtfully as I once again need to be purified from a pessimistic viewpoint that our society is beyond salvaging. My metal needs to be refined and strengthened.
When I found the book, the first line of an old hymn ran through my mind, reminding me that we serve an all-powerful God who can and will use us in many ways if we open our hearts to God’s service. So finding the book was well-timed.
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works His sovereign will*.
Prayer: Lord, strengthen my feeble arms and weak knees, enabling me to serve you more nearly**. Amen.
*First two verses of Conflict: Light Shining out of Darkness. By William Cowper. See at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Moves_in_a_Mysterious_Way
**Derived from Hebrews 12:12
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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.