join the conversation

STORY: Advent Week 01

November 29, 2009

Posted in: advent

Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:

figure one: ADAM & EVE

Adam and Eve were created to enjoy an intimate life with God living in Eden, where work was productive and every need was cared for by God (Genesis 2).  After choosing to disobey God, there was no longer the same intimacy with God—nor could they stay in Eden (Genesis 3 esp. 3:22-24).

* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Adam and Eve as figures of waiting?
* How do you think they might have spoken about their former days in Eden?  How does this life speak to our deepest longings?

figure two: NOAH

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:7

Noah was faithful to God and he heard both the promise and judgment of God.  He obeyed God’s instruction and found God faithful to His promise, saving his family and creation (Genesis 6-8).

* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Noah as a figure of waiting?
* How does the ark foreshadow the salvation to come with the Messiah?

figure three: ABRAHAM

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going . . . for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8, 10

A command to leave his country was no small thing—it was the only life Abraham and his fathers had known.  Abraham obeyed, continuing on in a life directed by God (Genesis 12:1-9).

* In what ways do you inhabit this story through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Abraham as a figure of waiting?
* How does his going out speak to the life in which we live as those who wait
again for His coming?

figure one: SARAH

“By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised;”

Sarah wasn’t physically fit to bear children—she was over eighty years old.  And yet, God had promised.  Laughing was her response—what would yours be in light of God promising the impossible?  Is it salvation to your weary, isolated, sin soaked life?  Messiah comes through in the right moment (kairos) that we might find ourselves the weakest—while seeing God in light of his infinite faithfulness.

* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Sarah as figures of waiting?
* How have you found tension in waiting upon God?  How might your story be an encouragement to others?