Advent, Day Ten

Sunday, 8 December: ² And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. Genesis 20:2

Advent unfolded over millennia. All along the way, God made choices, as did those whom He chose. God, the paragon of perfection, often chooses to work through feeble, failed humans. As he wandered around Mesopotamia, Abraham must have often felt alone and vulnerable. He frequently interacted with powerful men, men who could easily blot him from the face of the earth with impunity. He also knew that Sara, a good-looking woman, drew more than a casual glance from these men. So he lied to protect himself rather than trust the Lord for protection. He failed, yet God still chose to work with him. When I consider my own life, replete with various moral failures, I take great comfort from God’s continual patience with Abraham. Advent, the mysterious unfolding of God’s choosing to dwell with us, includes reminders that He does not easily abandon those whom He chooses. He works with them, bringing them along. So just maybe, He’ll bring me along as well.