Monday, November 28, 2011

A Different Focus This Advent


It's day two in the book of Numbers and, as I told a friend last night, I was not expecting much.  Once again I doubted that God could continue to speak through this book.  I can be such a slow learner sometimes.

This morning my focus was on Numbers 6:5-8 and a recurring phrase caught my attention "all the days of his (or her) separation to the LORD."  It led my thoughts in directions about how I am to be separated from sin, from "the world."  One verse in particular stood out, "He shall be holy until all the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the LORD."  My question is what does it mean to be holy.  I have always heard it was "set apart," but after a little research I do not think that does it justice.  I came away with a couple of understandings: one being the idea of wholeness and used to mean uninjured, sound, healthy, entire, complete; and the other conveys the idea of separation, a life not influenced by the world in which one lives.  So in putting the two ideas together I come up with: being holy to the Lord means being whole and being a part of but not influenced by the ways of the world.  For now I stuck in this mortal body with it's fleshly desires, I am a part of the world, but I am not to be influenced by these things.  To be whole in this life I need to let Jesus set my course, listen closely to what God has to say in His word and live a life of obedience to Him.

Another part of that verse that struck me was "until all the days are fulfilled."  This led me down the path of thinking about Advent.  Everywhere we look there are preparations for Christmas going on.  Do I get caught up in all the shopping?  Do I need my house to look like Better Homes and Garden?  Is that what Advent is all about?  Or is it a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus.  Not just the baby born in the manger, but His promised return to earth.  This year I am determined to set my sights not on what lies behind but on what lies ahead.  This Advent I am going to remind myself daily that what I am waiting for is Christ's return, not those presents under the tree.


Grace and Peace,

Deb


 I would love to hear about your own journeys. Feel free to share what God is teaching you, as well as your thoughts on my musings. May we grow in wisdom and understanding together.


                                 Linking today with Shanda at A Pause on the Path for:

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am determined to make this advent different from the past as well. I want to continue to look forward to the King.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Deb, What a beautiful post! We have much to learn from His first coming of how He was in the world, having come to save sinners, but not of it, set apart to His Father in holiness. And we have much to look forward to in His second coming -- eternal life in His presence, in our glorified bodies!
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on Saved by Grace! Your blog is a blessing and I am now following it, and I invite you to follow Saved by Grace:
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Laurie Collett

Debra Davis said...

Laurie, Thank you for your encouraging words. I love how you have expanded on the idea of being in the world but not of it by looking at Christ's example! I have hooked up with your blog as well. Thanks for visiting and joining me on this journey.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Deb, for signing on at Saved by Grace! I look forward to your future posts at Tuning My Heart and I love your insights into Advent. Renewal is a process we should all seek through God's Word, and thanks so much for helping to guide this journey.
Love in Him,
Laurie

_ said...

Don't you love His Word?! :) Isn't it amazing and astounding how He can minister to us through every avenue of it :)

Even reading the names and genealogies... I learned that when you make it important to you, what is important to God... He blesses that! Thank you so much for sharing! I felt warm just reading this! :)