A Legacy Worthy of Jesus
by Phyllis Unebasami, Director of Young Adults Ministry
Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
As an educator of 40-plus years, I have served in many socially vulnerable communities. Jesus comes alongside me in my most challenging and, sometimes, lowest moments. When I sincerely seek Him, when I’m authentic with my emotions and exposing my gut thoughts about the devastation of circumstances that I am powerless to change, then He joins me. He is the beacon of light, reminding me of my unique purpose and providing what is needed to take the next step. Advent is a time to reflect on His purpose to heal and save us, and how my purpose is tethered to Him.
Kindness and hope are His beacons of light in dark and stressed environments. I’ve learned that if I am to join God as He calls, I must not expect it to be delivered to me, but I must seek Him by going into the communities to serve. Sometimes it’s as close as the person next to me. It is not about later; it is about showing up immediately, knowing I can make a difference. It is about empowerment as an individual and as a team – living up to the promise to also care and tenderly aid others. This is the promise Jesus left for us, if we want to join Him – leaving a legacy worthy of Him for our children and future generations. We are His beloved. It is about creating a safe, engaging community that welcomes and cares for all. This is a personal responsibility because He gifted sacrificial love to me, to you, first.
We are created to be united in God’s perfect love for each of us. Perhaps mission work is not reserved for only those who already believe in the Triune God (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) but for ALL of us. I’ve learned that when we put aside our differences and find shared hopes and universal values that unite us as one global community, our sovereign God can orchestrate the circumstances and opportunities to bring diverse people together and grow our faith in Him. I believe He delights in our efforts to serve the vulnerable and each other. There, we will find Him again and again, whether it is an initial discovery of His existence, rekindling our passion for Him, or celebrating His unwavering goodness and faithfulness to us.
In this season of celebrating Jesus’ birth, let us remember His purpose and commit to joining Him by participating in the realization of God’s promise to the world.
Reflection:
Do my thoughts and actions reflect the light of Jesus? Why or why not?
What might I do today to chase away darkness in someone’s life?