by Dr. Mark Brewer :: Advent is a marvelous time of the year. For the church it marks the beginning of the year. The word advent comes from the Latin adventus which means ‘that which is coming towards you.’ I like that so much. Our English word ‘future’ means to predict what is going to happen. Advent is kind of the opposite. Its not about our predicting, or making our futures. Its more about receiving the future that God has already created and is rolling towards us. So do I try and make it happen, or do I wait for it to happen on its own? The answer is once again ‘yes.’ The biblical understanding of ‘waiting’ is not passive lack of movement. It is the trust and faith that we are merely cooperating with what God is already doing. What a relief and life changing assurance when we grasp the truth of God’s sovereign hand at work in our lives and history itself. This is not some ‘ prerigged’ determinism where we are mere pawns in some cosmic chess game. We are indeed very involved and working with God in His plan to redeem the world. The good news is we don’t need to sweat the outcome. Just like watching a recorded game we already know the final score, we get to watch and play in the ultimate contest. The good news is we know God wins and that means his children with Him. As Paul said ”we are heirs and co heirs with Christ.” Wow!
