Paths of Transformation
"In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, 'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”
For years I worked in an office for a nonprofit ministry. While I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to participate in the wonderful work they do, the truth is I often felt stifled sitting in a desk behind a computer for eight hours a day. So every time we got a break, I made sure to get outside and walk.
Sometimes that meant walking behind the building around a lake with coworkers. Other times I would walk by myself on a path on the other side of the facility. And during those walks alone, I'd often pray. Now, I love the prayers in our prayer book, and I use them often. But when I want to really bear my soul to God, nothing opens those channels like a hike in the woods.
Recently, I came across the photo above, which I took on my way back from one of those walks at work. If I remember correctly, I was praying for direction at the time. And as I came upon my own footprints, I saw a butterfly land on one of them. Kind of a silly thing to take a photo of, I know, but for some reason it felt noteworthy to me because it communicated that God was in the midst of my journey – even the hardships and the feelings of being stuck – and that maybe he was using the path I was on to bring transformation in my life.
The notion of paths is significant in the scriptures. Our Gospel reading for this coming Sunday refers to the Messiah's path and how John the Baptist's call was intended to make it straight – which meant preparing the people for Jesus' arrival.
I think of Jesus' entry into our world and the fact that his path here was one of extreme hardship, especially his path to the cross. But those who followed him experienced transformation and observed how his presence transformed the live of so many others. And at the end, they bore witness to the ultimate transformation of his resurrection from the dead.
Friends, as we begin this journey of Advent, let's remember that Jesus' coming always heralds transformation. It did when he came as a babe in a manger and in the years that followed during his life on earth. And it will when he returns in glory to restore all things.
But in between those times, he longs to come to us as well. Through his Spirit, he has promised to walk with us on our own paths. And as he does, you can be sure he will bring transformation in us, around us, and even through us.
Advent is a season of expectation, friends, so let's expect the transformation that the Lord's arrival always brings.
Fr. Darin+