"Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." — Luke 21:28
When I was in first grade, I was what we might call today “distracted.” A deficit in attention and concentration, to say the least. I vividly remember one particular math test. The task was simple: write numbers from 1 to 100. But somewhere around 65, I got bored and stopped. My teacher handed me back the test marked with a glaring D-.
Afraid of my parents’ reaction, I did what seemed logical to my six-year-old self—I hid the test under a rock on my way home.
That small, shame-filled moment, and many like it, set a pattern for years: avoiding judgment, fearing punishment, and hiding my failures. I lived in dread of being “found out.”
But at age 24, something shifted. While attending the Special Operations Combat Medic Course, I found myself in a completely different mindset. Our nation was at war, and my future role as a flight medic meant life or death for those I served with. Training wasn’t about getting by—it was about mastery.
I didn’t fear judgment anymore. I welcomed it. I wanted to know where I was wrong, what I didn’t know, so I could improve. Judgment became a refining tool, a path to perfection for the mission ahead.
This redefinition of judgment transformed everything. It became less about punishment and more about preparation.
The Call to Stand Tall
This is the difference we see in today’s Gospel passage. Jesus describes distress and chaos in the world—people “fainting with fear” and filled with foreboding. But to His disciples, He says something radical:
"Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Christians are called to live with expectation, not dread. His judgment isn’t something to fear; it’s the moment we are perfected.
Throughout Scripture, this theme emerges again and again.
The prophet Zechariah speaks of chaos but ends with hope: “The Lord will be king over all the earth.” God’s judgment establishes His reign of peace and restoration.
Psalm 50 reminds us that God’s judgment is about setting things right: “Gather to me my faithful ones.” Judgment for the faithful isn’t punitive; it’s purifying and leads to closeness with God.
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians asks that they be blameless at Christ’s coming. This isn’t fear-driven but hope-filled: God’s judgment perfects us in love and holiness.
Without Christ, judgment is terrifying. But in Him, it becomes transformative.
Living in Hope, Not Fear
What does it mean to “stand up and lift up our heads” today?
Stop Hiding
Just as I hid my math test, we often hide our sins, afraid of being found out. But God’s judgment isn’t about punishment, it’s about redemption. We’re called to take practical steps, confessing our sins and trusting in His grace to forgive and transform.Embrace Correction
Judgment refines us. Even when it’s hard, Welcoming God's truth sets us free to grow. Spend time in Scripture and prayer, asking God to reveal areas you need to change. Approach the Word expecting God to hone, sharpen, and perfect you.Live with Confidence
Lifting our heads means living in hope, not fear. Christ’s return isn’t a threat; it’s a promise of our ultimate redemption.
Redemption and Restoration
As a child, I hid in fear of judgment. As an adult, I’ve learned to embrace correction and refinement. God’s judgment, as today’s Scriptures reveal, is not about condemnation—it’s about redemption.
As Advent dawns, the start of a new liturgical year, we are reminded that Christ’s coming isn’t something to cower before. It’s something to celebrate.
If you find your tests under rocks, afraid to face God, hear this: we serve a God who loves us, who longs to redeem us, to hold us close, to transform us into His image.
So stand tall. Lift up your head. Look forward to Christ’s return, not with fear, but with joy.
For He is coming to make all things new.
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