‘Having something to look forward to is essential for the human soul (Tony D. Vick).’
Reading: ‘In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:2-5).’
Christ has already condescended into our midst.
Christ has already come alongside us, as our Light in this oft dark world.
The Spirit of Christ remains and continues to journey with our soul.
However, according to Jesus’ own promises, we wait. We wait for the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. The prophet Isaiah gives us a picture of what this future reality looks like in the scripture reading above.
The Christ, as true and just, rendering judgment as only Love can do.
The Christ, playing peacemaker and mediator between all our confrontations.
And we, co-laboring in his Spirit, taking our swords, our spears, our guns – instruments made by human hands for the purpose of taking life – and repurposing them into gardening tools – instruments of bringing life through the food they cultivate.
This is something to look forward to, is it not? Especially in a world that seems obsessed with bloodshed. This is hope, as is essential to the human soul – that someday, nations will not be at war with each other. That violence will end. And that Christ, and Christ alone will be judge.
Yet, this is also something worth working toward. Keeping watch. Waiting, but with haste.
You see, while we wait for Christ to bring this beautiful picture of peace from the prophet to full completion, we are to walk in his light.
‘O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:5).’
And, as we keep watch, we co-labor with his Spirit as light. And as this light increasingly glows in intensity, the closer we get to Christ’s presence becoming a permanent, tangible reality in our midst.
Practice: This week, consider your own actual and metaphorical ‘swords’ and ‘spears,’ consider the Light of Christ and the light of Christ that lives in you. Take time in the coming days to notice the Light that keeps you ‘looking forward in hope.’ Look for ways you can turn your ‘sword into a plowshare’ or your ‘spear into a pruning hook.’ What peace may you gain in your life by doing so?
(Christ: Swords into Plowshares Icon by Kelly Latimore)
Visio Divina: Take a few minutes and look at this painting. What catches your eye? What feelings and emotions are evoked in this piece of art? Invite the Spirit to lead your heart in a prayerful response in regard to what you you’ve read and what you are seeing.
God of peace, we yearn for the day when nations shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. We yearn for the day of peace, when we can all walk in the gentle Light of Christ. May we be light for those who are alone, comfort those who are hurting, and find joy in the true Light of Christ this Advent season. Amen.