Monday Advent 2

Isaiah 40:1-11

I am drawn to the images in this reading from Isaiah -- they speak to me through sound, sight and touch.

I hear Isaiah proclaiming the comforting reality of God's promises.

I can hear that promise in the words of spiritual teachers and mentors. I read Isaiah, or John of the Cross, or Henry Nouwen, the saints of the past. Or I speak to John or Mary or Maureen or Dianne...some of the saints who are walking the earth right now. They all, in their own way, add their voices to the chorus who speak of God's comfort for His people, and of God's promises for restoration of our minds and our souls.

I can see the landscape of my life being smoothed out ... My path is reformed and redirected as I walk towards a deeper relationship with the Lord, who is walking towards me in this Advent hour. I am willing to let things become different -- my priorities and my values will change as I seek to become more available to God during this Advent time. Perhaps some previously imperative activities will dissolve...they are attached to this world, and will wither and have no worth when I place them before the breath of God's word.

I lean towards the touch of God's gentle hand. I allow the self determined struggles of my mind or my will to settle into the mighty yet tender arms that will lift me up and place me upon a resting place where my soul's deepest needs are met.

Whenever I incline the ears of my heart to the word of the Lord, wherever my steps are on the path that is smooth and straight, however I can surrender my illusions of strength and trust the healing, nourishing presence of God.....those are the moments of Advent for which my soul yearns!