Mill Creek Church

The way of wisdom leads to life – abundant, purposeful, and meaningful. This isn't about following a set of rigid rules, but rather embracing a way of living that aligns with God's heart and purposes. Jesus invites us to that way but we must guard our hearts from distractions and keep our focus on Him.

Vision has to do with what we perceive. The biblical ideas of our eyes, vision, and focus relate to what we are attentive to. Where does our attention go in our thoughts and affections? This “focus” must be intentional, and to keep that focus we must develop habits for what to be attentive to, to get rid of the stinking thinking.

For Jesus, healthy vision wasn't just about the physical; it's about having a clear, focused purpose aligned with God's will and a generous heart that sees the world as He does. What shapes our ambitions, passions, and fears? Are we seeing the world and its challenges as God sees it?

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose focus on what truly matters. Just as athletes train with singular determination, we're called to fix our eyes on Jesus. Are there areas of your life where your focus might have become fuzzy or have there been distractions pulling you away from your spiritual journey?

Failure is an inevitable part of the human experience, even in our spiritual journeys. We're all going to fail in our walk with Jesus at some point. So how do we handle the failure? And maybe more importantly, how does Jesus approach us in those moments?

Mary's part in the Christmas story is strange and hard to believe but also inspiring. Her words are not just a sweet lullaby or a gentle hymn. They are a powerful proclamation of hope, a declaration of God's transformative power, and a vision of a world turned upside down by divine intervention. They are a picture of peace.

This Advent season, we work hard to embrace the uncomfortable: the waiting, the silence, the longing. True joy isn't found in the rush, but in the quiet assurance that God is in control. Joy happens 'in all this,' not 'because of this' and we are invited to trust, even when we can't see the whole picture.

The back story of Christmas teaches us that even in the darkest moments of doubt and silence, God is working behind the scenes. May we be encouraged to embrace seasons of waiting, recognizing them as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God's steadfast love. Even when we can't see evidence of God's work in our lives, may we trust that He never forgets His promises

As the Advent season begins, we are reminded that we hope because of who God is, who God has always been, and who God continues to be. Our hope is not unrealistic. While we may live in a reality of brokenness and despair, and we know that things are not as they should be, we hope in God, who continually works to make things right and good and whole.

No one plans to be ungrateful. Being thankful is central to our faith but we can struggle like the wandering Israelites and habitually forget to be thankful. Gratitude is far more than praise and devotion. It is a resource that can make or break our attitudes, our spiritual life, and our Christian communities.