Well maybe not paradise, but they did put up a parking lot at our new church building. The paving is completed and you can now drive smoothly onto the property. (see pic below)
Speaking of paving, I’m reminded of the prophet’s words in Isaiah 40:3-5. “A voice cries, ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord…Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”
Jesus came in the flesh to reveal the glory of God and to pave the way to a restored relationship with our heavenly Father, a relationship that had been broken and barred by the insurmoutable obstacle of our sin and rebellion. As you head towards Christmas, perhaps your life seems a bit rocky and rough. Perhaps there are mountains that seem insurmountable or valleys that seem uncrossable: broken relationships, financial hardships, failed dreams, marriage/parenting struggles, physical illness or other trials of life.
Take a moment to remember that the glory of the Lord has been revealed in Jesus Christ. Because Christ has come and through faith in Him, the trials of this life may not disappear, but we can face them with the confidence, strength and grace that God provides. He loves us and is for us and one day all those rough places truly will be smoothed out forever.
Remember this Christmas that Jesus came to pave the way to paradise!
