As we draw closer to Christmas, the time for cleaning is about done. We know the guest will arrive shortly. In looking back over this year’s season of Advent, I discovered some unexpected surprises. Some areas exposed regret that needs more work. At first glance, I did not see any remaining damage to clean. As I kept cleaning, I returned to view the places that I had scrubbed and worked on for days, weeks, maybe years, to remove from my life. I could not believe that the area no longer had a clean, polished look but had taken on a darker hue. I realized that there is much more work to be done, if not this season, then in the future.

    I clean and scrub to the best of my abilities. I discovered some long-standing areas of regret or shame take years, or a lifetime. In moments when I could not truly see the darkened places where hope felt on its last legs, Christ made a holy presence known. The lightbulb comes on, and I remember to thank God for the journey. The Holy One reminds me that spirituality is not about winning the race but stepping onto the track to keep running.

    Grace underscores that I am not perfect, but God is. I hear an internal voice that says, “Keep running. You did some good work. Each year, your progress becomes inspirational, and the light that begins at the headwaters of your soul. Depend on God to give you strength for what lies ahead. Keep moving along the path with your whole self, focused on the benevolence of the Holy One.

    Maybe the lesson this year for me is that Advent does not mean I stay in one place to map out a problem. God calls me to follow and to discover what remains undone.  I hope to continue the journey with holy arms reaching out to encourage me and show me the way to the Holy One of Israel. Perhaps the metaphor of cleaning reveals a heart’s desire to return to a place that offers our guest the best that we have to offer the Divine.