Advent Devotion: December 6, 2023
Psalm 80:1-7
Restoration
The psalmist writes during a time of adversity for their people. Over and over they pray “Restore us, O God.” Even though the Psalmist feels like God may not be listening, they pray anyway, they demand that God pay attention to their people. They draw from their own history and tradition in this prayer, using words from Aaron's blessing found in the Torah “let your face shine” This is a prayer that God’s blessing and favor would fall upon God’s people as they journey through a troubling time. Despite circumstances, the Psalmist believed that restoration was possible.
My mum lives in a small town by the sea on the north coast of Northern Ireland. A boathouse was built in 1900 to house a lifeboat for the town. By the end of the second world war the lifeboat was moved to the other side of town and the boat house began to fall into disrepair. It remained that way up until the last few years. I have enjoyed following along on instagram as this boat house has been restored and come to life as a bustling cafe by the seafront. It has been wonderful to watch an abandoned shelter become a place where people gather around tables and build community. The potential was there all along, but it just took the right people to see it.
Challenge: Take time to consider where you see the potential for restoration. Maybe it is a relationship, a space that could foster community, or something entirely different. How might you be a part of restoration within your community?
Prayer:
God of new life,
Restore what is dead and dusty within us
And show us how we can be a part of the holy work of restoration
As we wait for you to make all things new
Amen.
Psalm 80:1-7
Restoration
The psalmist writes during a time of adversity for their people. Over and over they pray “Restore us, O God.” Even though the Psalmist feels like God may not be listening, they pray anyway, they demand that God pay attention to their people. They draw from their own history and tradition in this prayer, using words from Aaron's blessing found in the Torah “let your face shine” This is a prayer that God’s blessing and favor would fall upon God’s people as they journey through a troubling time. Despite circumstances, the Psalmist believed that restoration was possible.
My mum lives in a small town by the sea on the north coast of Northern Ireland. A boathouse was built in 1900 to house a lifeboat for the town. By the end of the second world war the lifeboat was moved to the other side of town and the boat house began to fall into disrepair. It remained that way up until the last few years. I have enjoyed following along on instagram as this boat house has been restored and come to life as a bustling cafe by the seafront. It has been wonderful to watch an abandoned shelter become a place where people gather around tables and build community. The potential was there all along, but it just took the right people to see it.
Challenge: Take time to consider where you see the potential for restoration. Maybe it is a relationship, a space that could foster community, or something entirely different. How might you be a part of restoration within your community?
Prayer:
God of new life,
Restore what is dead and dusty within us
And show us how we can be a part of the holy work of restoration
As we wait for you to make all things new
Amen.
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Linzi (she/they) is the Mission Immersion Director at Asheville Youth Mission. Linzi grew up in Northern Ireland and served as a Youth Minister in Ireland and Tennessee before joining the YMCo staff. In their free time Linzi enjoys dabbling in photography, listening to music on vinyl, cheering on the Irish rugby team, and making soup to share with friends. |
