Pastor's Weekly Word

There is good news for the city of Zion. Shout it as loud as you can from the highest mountain. Don’t be afraid to shout to the towns of Judah, “Your God is here!” (Isaiah 40:9)

A long time ago, Isaiah spoke a word of certainty to a people who were uncertain. He spoke a word of faith to a people who were struggling with theirs. He spoke a word of hope to a people who had run out of things to hope for. Isaiah came to the people of God with a word that comes again to us today. It is a word we need to hear.

In a world where schedules and busyness dominate us with an unrelenting hand, the word we need to hear tells us to not lose heart.

In a world that props up politics over people and rhetoric over relationships, the word we need to hear tells us to not lose faith.

In a world that feels overbearing and heavy and lost and confusing, the word we need to hear tells us to not lose hope.

Don’t lose heart. Don’t lose faith. Don’t lose hope. This is the certainty from which Isaiah preaches. When you're not sure whether you believe or not, believe anyway. When you feel like you don't have the energy to take another step, put your shoes on and take it anyway. When you simply don’t think you can expect anything else from God, expect it anyway. This Advent, expect God to show up. Expect Christ to come. Expect the Holy Spirit to birth a new fire in your heart, for there is good news for you. Your God is here!