“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
This year we are placing a different focus on our Advent reflections. Traditionally, Advent focuses primarily on the incarnation of Christ. “Let every heart prepare him room!” bellows from households and Spotify playlists.
Yet, this Advent feels a bit different than any in recent memory. In the midst of a global pandemic, election fallout, and a generally exhausting year, some of us might have trouble preparing ourselves a meal, much less room in our hearts in order to refocus our affections on our creator.
“In the midst of a global pandemic, election fallout, and a generally exhausting year, some of us might have trouble preparing ourselves a meal, much less room in our hearts in order to refocus our affections on our creator.”
So, this year, CFWLA decided to focus on the First Epistle of Peter for our vocationally-focused Advent reflections. The book was written by the Apostle Peter to Christians in the midst of turmoil.
Times were changing, persecution was persistent, and there remained many social disadvantages to following the way of Christ. Yet, Peter builds up hope for the believers whose knees feel weak and arms a little shaky.
He sets their affections on the goodness of the gospel, a longing for Christ’s second coming, something Christians today can readily identify with at the end of a difficult year.
Our text today for the First Monday of Advent tells of a living hope, brought about by the resurrection of Christ from the dead. It’s a hope that brings an abundance of riches, stored in heaven for those who might place their faith in his finished work on their behalf.
So what might a text assuring Christians of their heavenly hope do for their earthly good? Quite a lot!
For those who work in the midst of shifting sands and turbulent circumstances, having a heavenly hope means the pressure to store up earthly treasure as a means of self-justification is removed. You are given the joy of simply serving whatever work God has provided to honor Him whom you ultimately serve (Col. 3:23-24).
“So what might a text assuring Christians of their heavenly hope do for their earthly good? Quite a lot!”
Country singer Kristian Bush wrote a catchy song a few years ago, titled “Trailer Hitch,” that shares his own reflections on seeking a life of fame and notoriety. “I don't know why, know why / Everybody wanna die rich / Champagne, New plane / Work your way down that list. / We try, everybody tries / Tries to fit into that ditch / You can't take it with you when you go / Never seen a hearse with a trailer hitch.”
In a similar way, the Apostle Peter invites us, in the midst of pain, to cling tightly to Jesus and the riches he has won for us rather than trying to attain our own through our vocational efforts.
We don’t have to be awesome for Jesus; he’s already been awesome for us.
Work and serve out of that freedom this Advent and into 2021.
Father God, you have caused me to be born to a living hope. It can be so hard to believe that heavenly riches await me and that I work from a place of acceptance rather than towards it. I confess my unbelief. Have mercy on me and show me how I might believe in the great hope I have in you and serve my work simply to love you and my neighbor out of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you would like to directly support the work of CFWLA this giving season, you can do so at faithandworkla.com/donation.
Gage Arnold is the Communications Director for the Center for Faith & Work Los Angeles. He is currently an M.Div student at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO., and holds a B.S. in Journalism & Electronic Media from the University of Tennessee.