Hopefully Prepared

Scripture — Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Devotion

Before working for the De Pree Center, I had never heard of Advent.

At church, at home, and at work, we only celebrated Christmas – often putting on plays and hosting office parties to commemorate Jesus’ birth and teach people about the significance of Christ’s first coming. However, since learning more about Advent, I’ve grown to appreciate this season as a time of celebration and hopeful anticipation.

Advent undoubtedly gives Christians space to reflect on Christ’s birth in Bethlehem as the starting point to the gift of salvation, but Advent also recognizes that Jesus will come again—this time to reclaim his disciples, bring justice to the world, and dwell with his people in a restored creation forever. Therefore, we must be ready, as the hopeful anticipation of Christ’s second coming should influence every aspect of our lives, including how we approach our work.

In Romans 13:11-14, the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome, urging them to “wake up.” His words remind us that Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection are only the beginning of the story of salvation, and that the same Savior who arrived in humility to die for our sins will return in glory and power to judge the world and right its wrongs. This truth offers hope to those who follow Christ, but also serves as a stern warning to those who fail to repent.

This passage equips us to remain steadfast in our faith and remain within God’s grace until the end by offering Christians a roadmap for how to conduct ourselves in our homes and workplaces. Paul instructs the church that to prepare for Jesus’ second coming, we must lay aside our “deeds of darkness” and live our lives as children of light; this means continually striving for holiness and tending to our spiritual formation until Jesus returns. Specifically, at work, this might mean avoiding negative behaviors, office gossip, or unethical practices, and instead striving for integrity, kindness, and professionalism.

Still, Paul’s message isn’t meant to hold us hostage. Rather, it gives us hope, encouraging us that by staying focused on Christ and aligning our daily actions with Jesus’ teachings, we can honor God with our lives. In doing so, we not only prepare ourselves for Jesus’ return, but also influence others to prepare themselves for the complete fulfillment of God’s kingdom. In this way, Advent becomes a time for us to prepare with hopeful anticipation, understanding that we prepare because we believe.

So, as we celebrate Advent in commemoration of Jesus’ birth, we also reflect on our actions and realign our priorities in anticipation of Jesus’ return. This season encourages us to seek forgiveness, extend compassion to others, and actively embody Jesus in our daily lives and work, enabling us to shine brighter as we wait for what’s to come.

Therefore, let us use this time wisely, leaning on Christ, adhering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and building an intimate relationship with God through the Word and prayer, so that we may shine as beacons of hope and light.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Living Under the Power of God (Romans 13).