The sun was shining, but she was not sharing her warmth with earth on this December morning. She lured me out under false pretenses, shining brightly, promising warmth, delivering none. So I was in my car headed to the gym to walk the indoor track when I saw her. There is no mistaking my friend, the faithful, all-weather walker. Even bundled from head to toe, with no face showing, it was her, for sure! Maybe the pink shoes gave it away?

But who else would be out on this bitingly cold winter morning? None but the most committed, the fearless, the few, the faithful. I was re-inspired as I, in my warm car with heated seats, passed by my friend as she bravely battled the elements. (ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic in that the cold was the only element, no wind, no snow, no hail, etc. and my friend did not look distressed – she had chosen this challenge – she chooses it everyday.)

The consistency of my friend is a reminder to me that I need to keep showing up everyday, day after day, to the things I am called to do, even if they are hard or inconvenient or don’t seem to be making a difference. Their impact may not be apparent until a later time. My part is to show up and keep on showing up, because if I don’t show up – I am giving up. My friend, the all-weather walker, always shows up. She inspires me to do the same.

This Advent season I am reminded of God’s faithfulness – how He always shows up at just the right time.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

“When the time had fully come,” means that Jesus was born in Bethlehem at just the right time in human history. Jesus’s birth happened in God’s perfect timing. His death on the cross occurred according to God’s timetable as well.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

This Advent season I am celebrating the fact that God kept His promise and showed up right on time.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

“Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:8-9)

When Jesus showed up, good things happened. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy ae cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5)

Jesus’s birth marked the Advent of a new day. The world would never be the same again. Jesus showed up right on time as He always does. When He comes again, it will be at just the right time. The world was not ready for Jesus the first time. Will we be ready for Him when He returns? Even as I prepare now to celebrate the memory of Jesus’s first Advent, I want to be faithfully, showing up each day in preparation for His second coming, the Advent still to come. I want to be ready to welcome Him in – having taken down all barriers and completely cleared space for Him to come in and make His home. After all, Jesus said,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 4:20)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

sincerely, Grace Day