Readings: Psalm 124; Genesis 8:1-19; Romans 6:1-11
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him (Noah) in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters gradually receded from the earth. Genesis 8:1-3, NRSV
One of my favorite songs is Everything Must Change by George Benson on an old Quincy Jones album I have. It starts out:
Everything must change, nothing stays the same.
Everyone must change, nothing stays the same.
The Young become the Old, mysteries do unfold.
‘Cause that’s the way of time, nothing and no one remains unchanged.
Then Later:
Winter turns to Spring, wounded heart will heal.
Never much too soon, everything must change.
I would imagine that Noah, his family, and all the animals were grateful for the lack of permanence. Change can be scary and yet we know change is inevitable and sometimes vital. What might you and I want to change as we begin this Advent season? Perhaps we should pray for guidance:
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgement, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. BCP
Offered by Bill Albritton, child of God.