Advent Devotional, December 13

When there’s a natural disaster, I’m almost tempted to feel more sympathy for the President than for the people whose homes were washed away. If he goes to the devastated community and dons a ridiculous hardhat for his inspection of the destruction, or fills a few sandbags in front of the cameras, he will be accused of grandstanding and of being cynically superficial in his concern. And if he stays at the White House to direct the relief efforts from there he will be accused of being out of touch and detached and of being insufficiently devoted to the welfare of the people. 
It’s kind of a no-win situation for him.
Consider, in light of that, the choices that God made in response to our unrelenting disaster. He did not content himself with such steps as he could take from heaven. He did not rely on angels to act on his behalf at a distance. 
But neither did he go with the photo op. He didn’t signal his virtue with a well choreographed visit. 
He went all in. 
Can you imagine a President delegating the official response to someone else and using his vacation time to go to the flood zone and descend into moldy basements with a shovel and his sleeves rolled up, a long way from any cameras? When it came to our disaster, Jesus took everything seriously but his own prerogatives. 
Having such a Savior should shape our own responses to the disasters around us. None of us can do everything that needs doing. And we all have to have boundaries. But let us be all in on redemption.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for the selfless way in which you threw yourself into the business of my redemption. When it comes to the disasters around me, help me not to be content with delegated virtue or photo ops. Help me to love in the same way that you do.

Song: The version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” by husband and wife band Johnnyswim is sweet without being saccharine. This traditional carol is heavy on the mandate. It is more imperative than pleading. Do it. Come and adore Him.

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