“Where could I go to get away from your spirit? Where could I go to escape your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I went down to the grave, you would be there too!” (Ps. 139:7-8 CSB).
We cannot rise above the darkness because we feel so empty and ashamed of our lives. Worry, fear, shame, they all separate us from the light. These forces of darkness swallow us whole and leave us without hope. Despair reigns supreme, and we find ourselves buried in a sea of destruction. Our souls become crushed ice pellets that lack warmth or security.
Hear the Good News, my friends. Our God moves into the chaos of the darkness and searches for us. The Divine goes to any lengths to find us, even going to the grave to pull us back to the light. So great is the love of our Lord that nothing keeps holy arms from gathering us up and restoring us to wholeness. We discover fearless love in the most desolate of circumstances.
This passage from the Book of Psalms is a favorite of mine, as it reminds me of God’s unfailing love offered to all people. On this day of Advent, let us remember the great lengths the Holy One goes to for us. Never will we remain in darkness because we are sons and daughters of the Divine. Restoration is a promise freely given to us through grace. Let us claim the gift given and live in the light of God.
From a Pastor's Point of View 