“Hurry up and wait.” This is an expression often associated with troops waiting in drudgery, boredom, and routine until suddenly they are called to action, to the fury of battle. The texts of Isaiah and Mark warn of the coming Day of the Lord filled with awe and destruction, apocalyptic world changing events. We are called to wait. But called to be alert in the waiting. Advent as alertness!

Paul in 1st Corinthians 1:3-9 also speaks of the End and revealing of our Lord Jesus but in that time of waiting Paul says we “have all we need, e.g. wisdom, knowledge and spiritual gifts.” And he tops off all this encouragement by saying we are in a “partnership” (CEB) with Jesus (!). That says a lot about how our Lord sees us: if not equals we are still valued as partners working together. Imagine going into the office or whatever workplace and there is a fellow partner… Jesus! Certainly THE Senior partner but nonetheless a partner. Maybe that’s why we often refer to one another in church as a “prayer partner.” We are in this together. We’ve “got each other’s back!” We “saddle up together” and ride toward the horizon, the future, the Sunset.

Pick your favorite image! The point is we go together with each other and with Jesus. Perfect “partnership” casts out fear, if I can paraphrase I John 4:18. Partner up with the best!

Blessings on this First Sunday in Advent!

Pastor Barry