The writer of the middle part of Isaiah spent a lot of time trying to get the Israelites to live with the expectation that their exile in Babylon would be coming to an end very soon. Remember? Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God! (Isaiah 40:9)
Okay, so we’re not living in exile in Babylon, but sometimes around this time of year it feels like the pressure of the season might consume us. Who has time to think with expectation about the coming of God?
Taking a hint from the prophet Isaiah, here at Calvary we’ve been trying to think of some ways to build a sense of expectation for God’s coming . . . to our lives, to this world. Last Sunday in worship we did that with the participation of Farafina Kan, an incredible African drumming group. I met some members of Farafina Kan at the Walk for the Homeless a few weeks ago, when a group from Calvary spent a Saturday morning walking together. I expect some worshippers were surprised by the drums, but there was really no way you could sit through that incredible drumming without your heartbeat picking up at least a little bit.
I hope the image of the drumbeat makes your heart fill with anticipation for the coming of God, but if not, at the very least make a mental note to catch Farafina Kan in concert sometime soon!
