As we begin each day’s reflection, invite the Lord to come be with you as you read and meditate on His Word. Take a moment and read the bible passage slowly, allowing the Lord to draw you to any word or phrase that speaks to you.
 
Isaiah 30:19-26
Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant. On that day your flock will be given pasture, and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows; The oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork. Upon every high mountain and lofty hill there will be streams of running water. On the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall, the light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater like the light of seven days. On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows.
 
Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you walk around all day and go to sleep each night carrying a load that is subtly wearing you down. It’s been on your back for so long, you don’t even notice it. It just feels normal, like it’s a part of you at this point. You are used to feeling a sense of stress just under the surface, a constant hum of anxiety, and a tension in your shoulders. The thing is most of the weight you are lugging around isn’t yours to carry. They are things beyond your control. They are other people’s stress and problems. They are daily needs and concerns that God will handle without your interference, but you believe deep down that you are the savior, and you must provide. 
 
But today’s first reading from Isaiah is a long one filled with a laundry list of all the promises that God will fulfill. He is ready to answer “as soon as he hears…” He will provide the bread and water. He will be our teacher whispering wisdom in our ears as we face which choice to make. He will provide for our every daily need, not just with the bare minimum, but with abundance. And there will be healing and light that will be seven times greater than we can imagine. 
 
We’ve spent all week with one tiny candle burning and today God promises a light so bright that nothing can hide in the shadows any longer. Imagine all the things we carry around being brought into that light and shown for what they truly are. 
That worry about enough money - “Trust me, I will provide.” 
That worry about what others say - “Their opinion of you is not My opinion of you!” 
That situation with your loved one - “I’m in the midst of it. Do not fear. I’ve got them.” 
The balancing act of work and family - “Rest in me, child. I am here with you, and you don’t have to do this on your own.”
The feeling of not being enough - “I created you and you are perfect. Do not compare.” 
 
Today we are finishing our first week of Advent and moving into a new theme tomorrow. So, spend some time today, thanking God for reminding us of the Hope that comes with resting in Him. Allow that hope to burn brightly. Visualize all the weight you’ve been carrying falling to the ground at your feet and see Jesus bending down and taking each concern and placing it on His shoulder. He is smiling at you with eyes filled with joy and says, “This is how it should be. You don’t have to carry this all alone. I’ve always been here, and I’ve got this. Rest my child.” 
 
Reflection Questions: What are you carrying around? Take some time to unpack that load and consider each thing and whether it is truly something you should be worried about. Or is it something that needs to be given over to Jesus. 
 
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for this first week of Advent and the reminder that I can trust you and be hopeful because You always provide for all that I need. Help me to give you all the stress and worry that I carry around each day, because You are faithful and love me. I can trust You. Amen.