Are we there yet? My feet hurt.

Are we there yet? I'm tired of being in the car.

Are we there yet? I'm hungry.

Have you ever heard (or said) those words? They are the words of a long car trip or long walk. They are the words of those who just want to get there and no longer care where "there" is. They are the words that get uttered when traveling is no longer fun, when the view through the window is no longer exciting.

"Are we there yet?" They are also our words as we make our way towards God's kingdom &endash; that time and place when justice will reign, when peace will prevail, when all will eat and be satisfied. We think these words when we watch news report after news report of shootings among teenagers, abuse of children, and robbery of the elderly. "Are we there yet…why aren't we there yet?" we think as we learn of the abuse of power by another crooked politician and the neglect of power by those who just looked the other way.

"We aren't there yet," we sigh as we sing Christmas carols about peace and good will. "We aren't there yet," we think as we gaze upon the beauty of the nativity and remember the promise of "lowly being lifted up."

We aren't there yet &endash; but we are on the way. That's the promise and hope of Advent. During these four weeks of Advent we renew our expectation that God's Kingdom will one day come in fullness. One day God's reign will arrive which will put right what is now wrong. During these weeks of Advent we also look for the places and people where this Kingdom is already at work.

The next time you hear (or say) "Are we there yet?" remember that we aren't there yet &endash; but we are on our way

 

Peace,

Pastor Melissa