That word makes me smile. It says Pay Attention Now. It says Good News. It says so much in one little word, reflecting a sense of the past.

As most of us know, when we start studying scripture and praying about a specific topic, we are given opportunities that can bless and challenge us.

It’s the same during the Advent Season. For me, Peace has been a thing that has made me look deeply into how I perceive Peace and the differences in my peace, the world’s peace, and God’s peace.

Sometimes, the most difficult for me is when plans are altered, and my sense of peace is disrupted as part of making changes to fit other people’s needs. And therein lies the issue. Needs. I had “plans” that fit my needs. Now, I have plans that fit the needs of others. A common thing everyone deals with when, as believers, we believe and attempt to live out our faith by putting others first.

Then the childish part of me wants to cry out, “But what about my needs, God? I finally get to do what I want, and now….”

And I hear that still, small voice say, “Needs? Or wants?” Such different things. My true need was to make a difficult situation easier for someone else by making a few changes in my plans. If I hadn’t done that, there certainly wouldn’t be the peace of God I seek to live in.

And while trying to resolve the lack of peace in my heart, I hear Hark!

My response was a sigh, then a laugh, and I heard myself say, “Another test, Lord?”

God certainly knows how to get my attention. In this season of preparation for the coming of the Messiah, my personal striving to focus first on Christ of Christmas, I feel sorry for myself because I’ve done a good thing.

Hark!

The patience and mercy shown us in God’s love and peace can be overwhelming as we learn to conform to the image of Christ, from major sacrifices to little lessons on being self-consumed and confusing obedience with performing good things that should be praised. 

Less of me, more of Him.

And I’m done with the personal note now, and share a traditional Christmas Carol. That Hark thing again.