Listen:
Proverbs 3:21-26
My son, don’t let them slip from your eyes;
hold on to sound judgment and discretion.
They will be life for your whole being,
and an ornament for your neck.
Then you will walk safely on your path,
and your foot won’t stumble.
If you lie down, you won’t be terrified.
When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
Don’t fear sudden terror
or the ruin that comes to the wicked.
The Lord will be your confidence;
he will guard your feet from being snared.
Consider:
Emily Dickenson wrote a poem about hope that captured enough attention to become a poem most of us probably studied in school. It reads:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
I will admit that I didn’t find much use for this poem as a teenager. But now, reading it in the context of the Hope we are searching for this Advent, I am finding some power and uplift in the metaphor…this little feathery, fragile Hope has the audacity to sing its song in every possible environment, in every possible condition without requiring compensation or reparation from anyone. That’s bravery! And, I believe, that’s the type of solidarity that only comes from a hope that is built on God’s trustworthiness. The Proverbs passage asks us to maintain sound judgement in the midst of any sort of tumult, which is also a big ask. It is much easier to jump on the “crazy” train of the latest rage clip, the most recent wild rhetoric, the family member’s overstimulated opinions or our own wild and judgemental assumptions of others, rather than to stay on the steady path of knowing that God is in and among all things. But if tiny little Hope can carry a tune in a hurricane, can we not put into practice the bravery it requires of us to stay sure footed in the Hope of God’s presence?
Respond:
Kate Bowler notes: “I am rich because I lit the candle even when I wasn’t sure I believed in light.” Take 5 minutes today and light a candle (or use a flashlight, whatever you have handy). Sit in the light of that candle and remember how brave it is to show up for yourself and others in this world. Take a moment to be proud of being present in moments that were hard. Say the prayer below once you’ve taken a moment of time to remember just how brave you are, and how not alone you will always be.
Pray:
Loving Lord, we know you are ever present, ever vigilant, ever working. Yet we find ourselves drawn toward the chaos of fear, where our feet always fail us. Guide our steps, brave God, along the path of your assuredness, especially in those moments where our confidence falters. Give us good rest in your Hope. Amen.
