Jonathan Shradar

" The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone ." Isaiah 9:2 We have entered into the season of waiting. Advent. It begins not with the eggnog and Mariah Carey but instead a realization of the darkness. That a promise of light came to a people familiar with dark. And that we now await his return, experiencing the very real dark of our own sinful flesh and the brokenness of our world. We are meant to ache for more. To cry out for light. This year of all years has seasoned us for this very act. We are acquainted with uncertainty, loss, grief, anger, longing. We have come face to face with our own idolatry. We are beginning to recognize the ways we placed hope in things that are not light. Even our reliance on self above all things has only left us shattered and bitter. We have lost control. Events of the day are beyond us and our weak attempts at conspiracy to provide answers only leaves us deeper

As new rounds of lockdowns come amid increasing pandemic rates and hospitalizations, this long quote from Peter Leithart's commentary on Matthew's gospel gave me hope. Specifically it touches on the themes in the Sermon on the Mount of treasuring and trusting God. "A new kingdom and a new king are being heralded in the midst of the corruptions of worldly kingdoms, a new city in the midst of the old cities. The Old City is a city of anxiety. For Jesus, anxiety is not just a feeling or emotion that we privately experience. It is that. But it is also the organizing principle of a world, a structure and a regime, a master and a power. Anxiety is the ether of the world outside the kingdom of God. Anxiety keeps the stores open 24/7. Anxiety keeps the highways busy until the wee hours of the morning. Anxiety keeps people working late at the office. Anxiety is what builds the skyscrapers. Anxiety is what drives consumer spending. "Anxiety is driven by a very simple insight, t

As election day is upon us in the midst of a pandemic and turmoil among neighbors, I remain hopeful that Jesus is refining his church and calling us deeper into kingdom life with him. This is my prayer. Lord we have come to a near end of the political drama of our age. A place so many of us have looked for meaning and purpose. As we move beyond it, bring us to repentance for the idolatry in each of our hearts. Give us a clearer vision of what it means to live loving our neighbors and our enemies for your glory and our good. Teach us to love as you have loved us. Make the church passionate about life, from conception to natural death. That we would recognize your image in those we once thought less than us. That we would have a heart for the least and learn to sacrifice ourselves for them, that they might meet you. Jesus grow your church, in depth of trust in you. In understanding of your preeminence and sovereignty over all things. Help us to trust that you really do hold all things to