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Advent presses on this year, just like all of them. We have all of the wonderful experiences we do in a traditional year. By so many measures, this Advent is going so very well at our church. 

All of the normal, year-round things continue. The day job aspect of what we do here at the church doesn’t take a Christmas break at all. Many committees, groups and boards  still meet. The extras are where we notice that this season is special. There are extra missional causes. There are extra concerts and additional worship services. 

Our offerings of Community Living Nativity, Blue Christmas service and our Handel’s Messiah Sing-along are led by people other than me. However, the care, publicity and nurture of those involve me in small ways. All of them involve my commitment to participate and lead in some role or another. 

All of this begins annually as Thanksgiving ends. Except this year was different. 

A double-dose of Strep Throat and Sinus Infection came my way. Laryngitis set in with that little stack of illnesses. At first, I didn’t think much about it. I would do what I always do. That is, get better in a couple of days and hardly miss a beat. 

Trouble is, I had never had Strep before. For a week, I waited for my voice to come back, while my congregation listened patiently to my faint and ragged speaking. One week turned into two and then three, and my voice was only finally showing signs of returning. 

If I had been scheduled to preach yesterday, my speaking voice was finally better. But we had a concert to offer instead. I was originally on the program to do an ambitious solo in one of the musical pieces. 

Fully a week ago, my associate minister and I made the decision to move on and replace me in the concert. Of course, his wife’s gifted and highly trained voice did the piece beautifully. 

Therein begins the lesson. When I have not had all of my vocal tools in the figurative toolbox this year, I have had to operate from a point of weakness. At my sickest I simply had to miss a couple of things. Others filled in for me and all went well. 

Now this week I was forced to listen to the first of two concerts rather than participate. I’ll probably still miss the next one as well. Sitting there is not something I do easily. Sitting out and missing because I am forced to is even tougher. I am used to being able to press on and do what I want. Now, I have been humbled.

Never fear. This story has a happy ending. In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul pondered these same dynamics. There was something Paul struggled with long-term, far worse and longer than my temporary illness. 

What he left us was a powerful spiritual reflection. He references this ongoing issue, health-related or otherwise, as “a thorn in my side.” He goes on to say that he prayed three times specifically that God would remove it. 

Whatever that was, we readers get the impression Paul continued to deal with it unresolved. Instead of what he asked for, though, he seems to have gotten a powerful perspective in his humbled condition. His takeaway from the whole experience was to effectively hear God say this: “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

What can I say I learned after a humbling Advent? God has provided colleagues and volunteers who are more than capable. I have been reminded the hard way that I don’t have to do everything. I have been reminded that God’s picture is so much bigger than anything that has to involve me. 

I have also been reminded that when you are limited, and sometimes have to sit out, what you can do is to take in what others are doing. I have sat in these days and worshiped the God who has called us to serve in the first place. Finally, I have celebrated the abundant gifts that others have. 

Don’t mistake what I’m saying. I hope next Advent finds me in good health and right back in the middle of things. I’d prefer that. All the same, though, God has lent perspective and peace in a season that appeared on its surface to only offer turmoil. That is a lot to be able to say. May you discover the same, only through happier means.

DR. CHARLES QUALLS is senior pastor at Franklin Baptist Church. Contact him at 757-562-5135.