3rd Sunday of Advent
Isa 61:1-2,10-11
1 Ths 5:16-24
Jn 1:6-8,19-28
He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him.
Another Advent season, another year passes. So much has happened, and time has passed by so quickly. Yet as we stand at the close of another year, perhaps some of us are asking — what have we achieved this year? Have we come close to fulfilling our life’s purpose? Good on you if you can answer that question affirmatively. Yet for every person who can, there are probably ten or more people who can’t, and probably more who have no idea what their purpose is. We’re like driftwood, floating about in the sea, being pushed about by the waves, utterly at the mercy of the elements.
But I’m here to tell you today that we are not drifters. We are so much more than that. How can we, who are made in God’s likeness, be put here on earth without a purpose? No, we are called to greater things, and it is God who calls us. His plans for us are unlike the human deeds that we deem as great. God is not asking the Nobel Prize for us; but His plans are indeed just as noble, if not more.
Like John, we are each called to be testimonials to the light. Our very lives are a testimony of God’s greatness, His ability to take our weaknesses and brokenness and turn it into a most treasured, perfect example of His great love. We are His blessed version of ‘kintsugi’ – the Japanese art of mending with gold. And what is the point of layering something with gold only to hide it away in a dark cupboard? No, it should be proudly exhibited. “Look, it was broken, but is now mended, and is more beautiful than ever!” says the artist.
Our purpose does not have to be a big one. But knowing that we have the inherent ability to be a living example of God’s love and mercy, of His unending grace, that knowledge comforts me. I can do that, yes, I can be that. It brings me great joy and relief to know that I have enough, I AM enough, to be that example. It gladdens my heart that God thinks I am good enough, even though I am not perfect. There’s no one else He has set aside to do the things that He has destined for me to do, and that makes each of us unique. I know that we will each “bring glad tidings to the poor” and “heal the broken-hearted” in our own special ways, amongst the many other things that we can do to spread God’s love.
So, we rejoice! We give thanks to God, for this opportunity to be a bearer of The Light. We give thanks that He has called us and redeemed us and counted us as His own. And we pray for the strength and faith to continue this journey with Him and for Him, for this is what God called us to do, this is His will for all of us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Annette Soo)
Prayer: My God, how can I be deemed worthy to be a testimony of Your great love? Yet here I am, called and chosen by You. I pray for faith and strength to sustain me in Your purpose for me. Blessed be God forever!
Thanksgiving: Lord, you take my broken pieces and make me wonderfully whole again, more beautiful in Your eyes than I could ever see myself. Thank you.
OXYGEN 
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