Longing for Jesus

Longing for Jesus

 

But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone.

Titus 3:4-8

 

We are often overwhelmed and deeply troubled by the suffering, brokenness, and darkness in the world around us. Even now in December many of us are still feeling the grief of the referendum loss. We watch on in horror as conflicts around the world see more and more innocent people killed and displaced, and feel desperate for the senseless violence to end. 

This song touches on some of this brokenness in our world, and the desperation it raises in us that leads us to long for God. We are led to a place of realisation that only Jesus, with the mercy that He brings, can truly bring the hope and renewal we so desperately seek.

In our humanness, we pray we will not view ourselves as powerless against the ailments in our world. Rather, may we resist passivity and be active in doing everything we can for the flourishing and reconciliation of all things as we seek to walk with and imitate Christ.

We rejoice in the salvation we have received through Jesus, and we deeply long for the fullness of that salvation to be made manifest in our common home. We know it is coming. We know He is coming. So we wait, we pray, and we act. 

This Advent, may we be people who devote ourselves to good works (Titus 3:8), in hope, in peace, in joy, and in love.

Bianca Manning is a Gomeroi woman, a social worker, and Common Grace's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator. Bianca currently lives in Logan, South East Queensland on the lands of the Yuggera and Yugambeh peoples, working with Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader Aunty Jean Phillips in the Brisbane and Logan areas.

Franz Dowling is a folk singer/songwriter and youth worker from Jinibarra Country, QLD. His music is inspired by a lot of early folk, with classical guitar influence, and he seeks to express his values and emotion through poetry and song. Find more of Franz’s music on BandCamp & YouTube

This devotional is the twenty third in a series of daily email devotionals for Advent 2023. This year's series reflects on the longing, hope, and beauty of God’s ‘Common Home’ being realised, revealed, and renewed through the birth of Jesus.

Would you like to receive the rest of this email series?

Sign up here to receive this daily series delivered to your inbox.