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The Second Coming Happens Every Day (Advent 30)

“Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.” - Luke 21:32

Many correctly associate this passage from the Gospel of Luke with the second coming of Christ. What we get wrong is that many of us are thinking of it as a one time future event that’s going to happen at the end of the world.

Nearly 2000 years ago, Luke says Jesus said that generation wouldn’t pass away until all these things took place. This leaves three possibilities. Either Jesus was wrong, or there are 2000 year old people walking the earth waiting for the fulfillment of the prophecy, or these words were fulfilled.

Now if someone turns the second idea into a movie, I want credit for the story idea. As for myself, I don’t believe Jesus was wrong. In every generation there are people who see the power of God come into their lives and change everything.

Advent both celebrates and anticipates this coming to us.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Better Days Are Coming: Job in the Face of Evil

“The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” Job 42:12

Job is a hard book. So many bad things happen to Job and his family senselessly, it’s very hard to read. I don’t believe I have ever written a reflection based on Job.

The book raises the question of theodicy. If God is good, why is there so much evil? Why do so many bad things happen to good people?

The book doesn’t offer us an answer to that. Instead, the book offers Job’s example of faithfulness in the face of evil and tragedy.

Even at his lowest point, Job never gave up on God. Even when his hope was gone, he still placed his trust in God. He never turned his back.

The book invites us to believe better days are still possible and are just ahead of us even if we can’t imagine them ever getting here. Have the courage to believe. Better days are ahead.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Humility Leads to Growth (Advent 29)

“He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way. “ Psalm 25:9

Many of us professing Christian’s think of Jesus primarily or almost exclusively as the risen Christ, but we fail to take note of the process that led to his growth.

The Gospel of Luke explains “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) Humility was at the center of Jesus’s growth.

First he went out into the wilderness and became a student of John the Baptist even being baptized by him.

After he became well known and widely acclaimed, he continued to recognize his own shortcomings even if no one else did. He declined false praise as he stated, “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. - Mark 10:18

Hebrews describes Jesus’s growth process this way: “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” - Hebrews 2:10

Jesus pioneered the type of humble servant leadership that leads to our growth and fulfillment if we are humble enough to follow his example.

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Speak-up for Yourself

“Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" - Mark 10:48

Bartimaeus was calling out to Jesus for help. The text doesn’t give us much insight as to why there were so many people telling Bartimaeus to shut up.

Maybe they were trying to protect Jesus from being over extended. Maybe they found his behavior embarrassing and a poor reflection on their community.

Maybe they thought Bartimaeus was going about it the wrong way. Maybe they thought it was useless for him to call because Jesus wouldn’t bother with him anyway.

Bartimaeus wasn’t seeking anything at anyone else’s expense. So, when it came to his own wellbeing and recovery he made himself a priority. He would not be silenced. He spoke up for himself.

There are times when we have to prioritize ourselves. There are times we must speak-up for ourselves.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Live in Faith not Fear

(Advent 28)

“Now is disclosed… according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith…” -from Romans 16:26

Jesus fundamentally changed our understanding of humanity’s relationship with God.

We trust our footsteps to the pathways of righteousness not because we are afraid of being punished, or because we are looking for reward.

We live in the obedience of faith, we live in trust. because we now think of God as our loving parent as Jesus did. Many translate Abba as Daddy.

Jesus shifts the primary metaphor for our relationship with the divine from master/slave to one of friendship.

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends" (John15:15)

We live now, in faith not fear.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Some Doors Are Closed. Trust God to Open New Ones (Advent 27)

"Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in?” - 2 Samuel 7:5

David was a spectacular person who lived a spectacular life. He was shepherd, a musician, a poet, a warrior general , and a king. He had resolved that he was going to build a temple for God.

However, God said ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’ ( 1 Chronicles 28:3) A murderer though forgiven was not the one to build a house of peace.

Some of the things we desire to do may be good and noble, but we are not the ones to do them. Just as some of our words may be true, but we are not the ones who should speak them.

Our past mistakes and actions do not preclude us from creating a spectacular future. However, some pathways are indeed closed to us because of our past. We have to trust God show us new ones.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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If we want to help, we must first listen.

“Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?"- Mark 10:51

It would have been easy to assume that Bartimaeus, the blind beggar that would not be silenced, wanted Jesus to restore his vision.

Rather than assume, Jesus honored his personhood and autonomy by respecting him enough not to assume. If could have been that Bartimaeus was asking something for a friend or family member.

Maybe Bartimaeus wasn’t so dissatisfied with being blind. Perhaps he simply wanted more income or a better housing situation.

Too many of us assume we know what’s best, and we only offer to with our vision for other people’s lives.

Jesus took the time to listen, understand, consider, and then respond. If we want to help, we must first listen.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Remember the Good and Hope for Tomorrow (Advent 26)

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb.”

(Psalm 126:1-4)

In the midst of difficult and trying times, the ancient song writer remembers the hard times they had overcome and the joy of the victories previously won.

These memories gave them the determination and hope to see their way through to a better tomorrow.

When we are up against it, we must remember the victories of yesterday as we wait, watch, and work for a better tomorrow.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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