Sometimes, we have to work through the mess. Once again this year, I am participating in Inktober, a challenge created by artist Jake Parker to crest one ink drawing a day for the month of October. My first year was 2016, and the process was helpful in strengthening my drawing skills. This year, I am a little behind, but enjoying the process.

Day one of this year went much better than expected. I was thrilled to see how well my first project came together. It was not, however, a harbinger of what was yet to come. The second day came with the prompt “tranquil.” With a great vision for a fishing boat resting on still water, I worked for an hour only to end up with something that simply wasn’t going to work. It was hard to start over, but the result was worth it. I went in a new direction and ended with something I was very happy with.

On the third day, I started with an ambitious project that had to be cut short, and day four things fell apart. The drawing was a simple cup of coffee with latte art. Two attempts later, it was just plain bad. It was extremely hard to post that one online, but that is part of the challenge.

Reflecting on the process so far this year, I am increasingly aware of how much it represents all of life. Sometimes, things go the way we expect. Sometimes, things exceed our hopes, and then there are the times when things become a mess. The messy moments can steal our joy and derail our passion. When things go awry, we begin to doubt and we are tempted to give up, but that is precisely the time we need to keep moving and work through the mess.

In the midst of the struggle, we cannot allow self-doubt, fear, or any other negative emotion to steal our hope and our faith. When things get messy, we work through the mess until we see the possibilities. Even what seems like failure is a learning experience that helps us see with new eyes, and develop new strategies. The messy moments are training ground, opportunities to learn and grow stronger.

It is hard to have that perspective when things are not working out. In those times, I often find myself echoing the classic prayer from the Gospels, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Then, it is time to keep moving forward, through the mess to the beauty God is creating.

I have a good friend who, when I tell her I am going through something, always says, “Thank God!” When I mentioned that was not the response I expected she said, “Well, I am glad you are going through. Don’t stop. God is bringing you through to something better.” I confess that is not always easy to receive, but, so far, it has always proven to be true.

So, when the mess arrives, give thanks. Rejoice that you are not alone, that God is bringing you through, and that God is creating something beautiful in and through you.

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In my prayers and preparation, I found myself talking to God about the difficult juxtaposition, and about the challenge of finding my way through the darkness to see the light of Christ. In a profound moment of prayer, I sensed God say, “Yes, it’s just like the first Christmas.”

Indeed, the nativity of our Lord did not take place in some sanitized story. Instead, Mary and Joseph made their way through the physical and emotional journey that led them to an over-full city, the chaos of crowds, and to the rejection that came from their position and poverty. Against a backdrop of political issues that rival any in our world today, and amid the exploitation and evil that seem to pervade human existence, God brought two young people from an out of the way town, to the meager hospitality of an animal stall. It was there, where no one was looking, that God broke though, and the Light of the world was birthed in the darkness. In the midst of chaos, the Prince of Peace was born.

We tend to think our time is different, our challenges unique, but such is not the case. The human condition is still the same, and our brokenness leads to pain and suffering. Evil still tries to have its day, but that is not the end of the story. The good news of the Gospel message is that the darkness does not win. At the end of the day, the light of Christ is victorious! Far more than just a distant hope, it is a promise that the brokenness of our world cannot overcome the wholeness of God. John writes in his Gospel, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (1:5 ESV) That is a tremendous promise and an equally amazing reality!

As I reflected on my feelings about this Advent season, I realized that the real challenge was that I wanted to preserve the sentimentality of the season. God, however, was, and is, far more concerned with the significance of the season. Beyond seeking the warmth of happy Christmas songs and TV specials, God calls us to seek the life-changing power of the Savior. In this unassuming little baby born in Bethlehem, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. And in the face of the worst our world can offer, “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7) That, my friends, is very good news!

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