I’ve always enjoyed discovering unusual street signs. Most of us who live in the south Bay Area have taken a second look at this sign on Quito road in Saratoga and thought twice about how fast we were going around that turn. Whether they were intentionally done this way, or better yet, UNINTENTIONALLY, they are unusual, and they get our attention.
This week in chapter 15 of The Story, we read about four prophets of God who are trying to get the attention of God’s people. Like street signs, these prophets were trying to communicate important information about what was happening at the time and what was ahead on the road. Unfortunately God’s people mostly ignored these warnings and paid the consequences.
Several years ago we lived next door to a guy whose job was making these signs for Santa Clara County. Looking back on it now, I wish I’d asked him how he felt when people ignored a sign like the one on Quito road and ended up crashing because of it. From the pages of Scripture we know the prophets literally lamented the willful ignorance and disobedience of God’s people. It’s no wonder Jeremiah was called “the weeping prophet”. They often lived lonely lives that were filled with despair and they longed for the day when God’s rule and reign would be joyfully and willingly obeyed. During this season of “Advent” we raise our voices with the prophets who looked forward with great anticipation to that day.
This Sunday we’ll look at Elijah – one of the most “successful” prophets of all time. Even so, he felt the weight of the battle against the dark forces of the day and succumbed to despair. Just like Elijah we all need the same strength he received when he met with God on the mountain. Those prophets could only dream about what “God with us” would be like. We remember his coming as a baby and look forward to his second coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. See you Sunday.
In Christ,
Kurt
P.S. Come early to celebrate Christmas with our Agape Bell Ringers’ concert this Sunday morning before the service at 10:25 AM.