By Beth Bontrager, Mennonite Historical Library administrative assistant
Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
Shelby, our black Lab mix, is always ready for anything. She lives in the moment, never thinking ahead—food, treat, walk, out, bed, snuggle, whatever, she greets it enthusiastically. But humans must look to the future.
As an eager freshman at Hesston College, I packed up my stuff four weeks before move-in; however, despite packing ahead of time, I found I was not ready for college in other ways.
Being ready for an event is a multi-faceted job. We must be mentally ready, rested and alert. We must be physically ready, caring for our bodies. We must be curious for the unknown. We must acknowledge any apprehension we have about the coming event. We must be financially ready, if necessary. We must be relationally ready—God, Nature, Others, Self. We must be emotionally ready, acknowledging any baggage we are carrying, what worries we have, are we being realistic? And we must be spiritually ready, attuned to our needs and working at meeting them in ways suited to ourselves.
Stepping on the road to Advent is an opportunity as well as a challenge. The psalmist today longs for restoration, for God’s light to shine on her. She regrets the suffering she and Israel have endured and is ready to walk a new path in God’s favor. And she promises not to turn away from God. It’s a starting over.
In this time of uncertainty, it is hard to be curious. I feel I spend so much effort just surviving and keeping on keeping on that I have little time to wonder. What is this road? Do I even like it? Do I want to be on it?
Fortunately, we know the end of the road: Jesus! As we walk, limp, roll, and creep down this Road to Readiness, think of the ways to get ready mentioned above. Then, take care of yourself, on the road, for God will restore us—with Jesus, our Savior.
Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
3Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
4O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
17But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.
18Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
19Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.