Fourth Monday of Advent
Scripture Reading for Today:
Genesis 17:15-22
15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” 17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” 19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. 6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Galatians 4:8-20
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. 12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
What’s Birthing Behind the Fog?
by Stella Chung
Stella Chung is a Certified Spiritual Director who graduated from Tyndale University. Besides offering spiritual direction to individuals and small groups, Stella leads spiritual formation workshops and retreats. She is passionate about helping others listen to God’s voice and contemplating God through prayers, Scripture, music, art and nature. As a trained vocalist, Stella’s vision is to connect and build communities for lonely souls through Christian music and spiritual formation. She leads singing groups online and in person.
This day has been dark and gloomy. My window was enveloped in fog when I got up this morning. I could barely see the building next door. For some of us, this would have been a depressing day. But as I prayed and looked intently into the blanket of fog, I saw a vision of a little girl grabbing onto the right hand of Jesus. They were walking in the fog. I wonder if the little girl knew where she was going. But then, does it truly matter as the Lord our Good Shepherd was with her?
How often do we get frustrated not knowing where we are heading? We want to know what God is doing in our lives. When things do not happen at the time or in the way we expect, we get discouraged or even angry. Prayers may become difficult for us as God may seem silent or distant from us. We thus sit in the fog of the unknown.
For many years, I had lived in a fog. My life was empty and lacking direction. At age forty-eight, I left my promising corporate career to seek God’s will for the second half of my life. But what seemed adventurous and exciting initially turned out to be quite disappointing. First, triggered by the global financial crisis, a long awaited engagement had to be called off. Second, I relocated to be near my late parents. But after moving into my new condo, I discovered a new construction would completely block its lovely view. Finally, months later, my father was diagnosed with dementia. I became a family caregiver overnight with no hope of pursuing a new vocation. After that, I felt trapped in my nothingness and lived in darkness and despair.
From the lectionary readings today, God’s blessings to Sarah and Hannah—both of whom were once barren—struck me the most. I am a childless woman who would love to have my own family. Sadly, this longing was never fulfilled. However, over the years, I have gradually realized that my desire was not God’s plan for me. I am now content with who I am and where God chooses to place me. Being obedient to God’s call, I studied at the seminary and became a spiritual director. I see the brothers and sisters in Christ whom I serve as my children. I sincerely love them and care about their spiritual lives just as the Apostle Paul had deep concerns for the church in Galatia (Gal. 4:8–20). I thank God for blessing me with a new life purpose, even though it was not in the way I had hoped. Otherwise, my life would still be empty and meaningless.
The story of Abraham and Sarah reminds me that everything we have comes from God rather than our own efforts. All is God’s grace simply because He has chosen us to be His children. In our reading today, God promises “I will” to Abraham seven times, which shows His commitment and steadfast love. God chose him to be “the father of twelve rulers” (Gen. 17:20) not because he was able but because he was obedient and faithful. Abraham and Sarah were “as good as dead” (Rom. 4:19) and way too old for childbearing and raising a family (Gen. 17:17). Yet, God still used them—not as a joke or to make their lives miserable—so that all future generations could see the power of God at work even in the most impossible situation.
Over the twelve years I stayed in that dark and distressing condo, I knew I had to move out one day but had no idea when and where to go. Although being surrounded by buildings made me feel like I was living in a cage, I got used to the discomfort and became complacent. I also thought it would be rather difficult to move during the pandemic. So, I remain in the fog. But it was during this time of discomfort that I experienced Jesus’ comfort and healing most intimately and unexpectedly. I learned to let go of my desires, loosen my grip, and open myself to God as He equipped me for ministry. It was only when I arrived at this point of indifference and surrender that God gradually revealed His marvelous plan.
In today’s reading, Hannah’s prayer proclaims God’s goodness and mercy for the weak and needy. God gives strength to the weak and abundance to the barren (1 Sam. 2:4–5). As I reflect on my lack and longing, God’s words and promises comfort me. God sees our pain and knows our needs even before we ask. Just as He answered Hannah’s fervent prayers, He hears our cries and will surely answer our prayers at the right time. I still believe in miracles. In fact, I have just encountered one lately.
Since the last Advent, God has gradually removed my fog and unveiled for me a clear blue sky. One day, as I went hiking with a friend, God led me to a beautiful green pasture beside a quiet stream, where I accidentally found my new home. After all, I did courageously move during the pandemic. My plants that were once withering in that dark place are now thriving in my bright new home. Similarly, I am also flourishing as God continues to open doors for ministry beyond my imagination. God knows what is best for me, and His timing is always perfect. My twelve years of waiting in the fog have taught me to listen to God, to depend on Him, and to grow in trust in Him. I learned more about God and myself, especially my limitations. I realized that it is precisely in my weaknesses that God demonstrates His power and perfect love. Waiting was transformational and necessary for my growth. For that, I am grateful to God.
What are you waiting for this Advent season? The birthing of a ministry, a child or an immature believer to grow up, or a stubborn family member to be born again? What might be birthing in your life or ministry? What would it look like for you to wait on Jesus, or perhaps join Paul in sitting in the discomfort of labour pains for Jesus (Gal. 4:19)? As you prayerfully wait for the future with hope, how might you find joy in the present?
God is with us—now. So, take time to contemplate God and enjoy His loving presence as you wait for Jesus this Advent. May joy and peace be with you and your loved ones.
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