A Pause In Advent #1

Earlier this year, for the first time in my life, I had an ear infection and was deaf for a few weeks. It made me think a lot about how we hear,mis-hear or misinterpret words. I decided to make my Advent Pause Posts about ‘Homophones’ – those words which sound the same, but have totally different meanings.

weight [noun] the heaviness of a person or thing [synonym; burden]

wait [verb] Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens. [synonyms; abide/expect]

weight

It is so easy for us to struggle along, like Sisyphus, carrying unnecessary weight, which we do not need to bear.

We need to let go of the burdens, and like Christian, in Pilgrim’s Progress, to leave them at the foot of the Cross.

In Matthew 11 [this is from ‘The Message’] Jesus says this

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly

…and the second word

wait

Advent is all about waiting- anticipating – looking forward to…

Scripture is full of verses that remind us to wait for the Lord.

I am by nature a very impatient person [how I identify with that little boy in the John Lewis ad, who cannot wait to give his gift!] and even after all these years, I still find it hard to wait for things – especially to wait for the answers to my prayers. But I am getting there – slowly – and God is very patient with me [as is my long-suffering spouse] But Hebrews 12 tells us quite clearly

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us.

And if we do leave our burdens with Him, and wait for His action and His answer – then we will find our strength renewed – and He will guide us and bless us.

Thinking of Pilgrim’s Progress reminded me of another favourite book – ‘Little Women’

Here’s a passage from it

Mrs. March broke the silence that followed Jo's words, by saying in her cheery voice, "Do you remember how you used to play Pilgrims Progress when you were little things? Nothing delighted you more than to have me tie my piece bags on your backs for burdens, give you hats and sticks and rolls of paper, and let you travel through the house from the cellar, which was the City of Destruction, up, up, to the housetop, where you had all the lovely things you could collect to make a Celestial City."
"What fun it was, especially going by the lions, and fighting Apollyon" said Jo.
"I liked the place where the bundles fell off and tumbled downstairs," said Meg.
"I don't remember much about it, except that I was afraid of the cellar and … liked the cake we had up at the top.” said Amy,

"We never are too old for this, my dears, because it is a play we are playing all the time in one way or another. Our burdens are here, our road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City. Now, my little pilgrims, suppose you begin again, not in play, but in earnest, and see how far on you can get before Father comes home."