Waiting in the Dark

For what am I waiting this first day of Advent? for what do I long? If I am honest, there is almost always something a little “adventish” in my spirit,” a little place where I am all too aware that not everything is as it should be, that somethings are still amiss, that something remains to be completed.

I will let myself know some of my longings of Spirit this week:

• I long for the long lists of hurts and slights that I carry, that all those I know carry, to dissolve into nothingness.
• I long for an end to the fear of not having enough that creates greed, selfishness, stinginess and hardness of heart.
• I long for clearer vision by which I can see the Holy in all things, in all places, in all people.
• I long for generosity of heart, mind and spirit that opens wallets, larders and storage bins.
• I long for a peace that passes understanding to invade the systems that I inhabit–the politics, the churches, the schools, the neighborhoods, the families; is it true that it needs to begin with me? if so, how?
• I long for people of faith to do justice, love mercy and to walk humbly, filled with a sane estimate of their own abilities, with the Holy and with each other.
• I long for a sea change in the attitudes of the powerful toward the less powerful–more open-heartdness, more compassion, more empathy, more investment in wholeness, all over the world.
• I long for the clutter of consumer life to be swept away, so that we can see God more clearly, love God more dearly, follow God more nearly, day by day.

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down! (Is. 64:1)  This is my prayer in the dark this first Monday of Advent.