Is it here yet?

We are on to our second Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Peace. It almost seems unkind to have to think about peace in these days. Oh, I know, I’m not in an active combat zone but there is still a noticeable lack of peace in many places and people I encounter. One of the titles of Jesus Christ is “Prince of Peace.” Shouldn’t peace be here by now?

I mention the universal experience of driving children (and sometimes not-children) somewhere and having to answer endless versions of “Are we there yet?” Do you ever find yourself asking God, “Is it here yet?” when you think of peace. It seems like we’ve all been waiting a long time for peace, all of our lives as it applies directly to us and for all of history if we think of the whole world. Haven’t we been waiting long enough?

Peter in his second letter gives us a bit of insight into what might be going on. He reminds us that God doesn’t view time the same way we do, “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8b NRSV) This doesn’t mean we should try to become like God in relation to time but it might help us to understand that while we are sure things are taking FAR TOO LONG, God may not feel the same way at all. God isn’t indifferent to what we feel but it is important for us to make sure we are trying to make God fit into our system of measuring things like time.

I hope this is a season of peace for each of you but if it isn’t (and even if it is) I also hope this sermon will help you come to grips with what it means to wait for something we want and need so much, something like peace.

“Is it here yet?” Knox and St. Mark’s Presbyterian joint service (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)

Blessings,