Sunday, November 28, 2010

First Advent


I stepped out on our kitchen patio one morning this week to take the above photo.

The valley was blanketed under a thick fog but the snow capped mountains rose up above it glistening in the morning sun.

As I stood gazing at the view I thought about a scripture in Col. 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."


How easy it is to become 'blanketed' by the cares of this earthly life - to allow the disappointments, the worries, the endless duties to completely hide from our heart-view the glory of the things above.
*
The people of the valley had no idea of the beauty above them that awed my heart.
Where I saw blue sky and snow capped peaks, they saw only fogged shadows.
Where I saw the promise of the rising sun, they sat in shrouded uncertainty.
Where I saw the heavens , they saw only the earth beneath them.
*
Hope - the theme of the First Advent. No matter how deep our dispair, no matter how heavy our burdens or our doubt.. there is always HOPE.
Hope that is real ! Hope that will not disappoint any one who puts their faith in Jesus.. the promised Messiah.
Jesus, the Light shining into a dark world, melting the fog of doubt and fear!
Whatever earthly thing weighs you down, shine God's hope upon it and view it from above!
*
"Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in HOPE! " Rom. 15:13
**

6 comments:

ellen b. said...

Love this post Julie! It's always good to be nudged out of our worry filled world and set our eyes above and on our hope!

Marg said...

Truly that is the first Advent message for this 2010. We lit that first candle with my little boys the other day...and how heart warming to see them begin to understand why we are lighting the candles before Christmas as we share not only baking and gifts, but share Christ's message during the whole month of Christmas.
What a beautiful view you that you experienced.

Kathy said...

I have thought much on the word hope this week. Enjoyed your thoughts and the picture you captured is beautiful. Kathy

Anneliese said...

Julie, I know that this comes from your heart today... thank you for sharing the view from the top ... too bad we cannot always see it from there... but the good thing is we know the ONE who does.

Vicki said...

I love this, Julie! I love Christmas and the hopefulness it brings. Your photo is a perfect illustration for the first Sunday of Advent, as well as for reminding us to have faith that the imperfections we see from below are perfect as seen from Above.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

What a glorious view to have from one's kitchen patio! Hope abounds, as does beauty, because God is on His throne! Wishing you a blessed Advent season, Julie. Thank you for all the inspiration you share with us here on your blog.