May Our Lives
“May our lives bear witness of our desires fulfilled.”
Luke 2:30-32 (ESV)
For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
When Simeon held the infant Jesus in his arms, his life became a living testimony of fulfilled desire. After years of waiting and watching, his deepest longing materialized in the form of a tiny baby. His patient anticipation, guided by the Holy Spirit's promise, culminated in a moment of profound witness. His life spoke volumes about the faithfulness of God even before he uttered his famous words of praise. During Advent, we're invited to consider how our lives bear witness to fulfilled desires. This isn't about material wishes or temporary satisfactions but about the deepest yearnings of our hearts finding their answer in Christ.
Like Simeon, we're called to be living testimonies of God's faithfulness—not just in our words, but in how we live. Bearing witness implies more than just observing; it suggests active participation in the story. Think about the various witnesses to Christ's birth: Mary and Joseph bore witness through their obedience to God's unconventional plan. The shepherds bore witness by leaving their flocks to seek out the newborn king and spreading the word about what they had seen. The wise men bore witness through their persistent journey and generous gifts. Each of these witnesses demonstrated their fulfilled desires in different ways. Their actions spoke as loudly as their words. Today, our lives can similarly speak to our fulfillment in Christ. This might manifest in how we handle disappointment, showing that our ultimate satisfaction isn't dependent on circumstances. It might appear in our relationships, demonstrating that Christ's love fulfills our need for acceptance and belonging.
Consider how your daily choices reveal what truly satisfies your heart. When we've found fulfillment in Christ, it shows in our priorities, responses to challenges, treatment of others, and approach to success and failure. A life bearing witness to fulfilled desires doesn't mean the absence of struggle or constant happiness. Instead, it demonstrates a deep-seated contentment that persists even amid difficulties. The beauty of bearing witness is that it's both personal and public. Like Simeon's declaration in the temple, our testimony of fulfilled desires becomes part of a larger story that others can witness.
Our peace in uncertainty, joy in simplicity, or persistence in faith can speak volumes to those around us still searching for lasting fulfillment. This Advent season invites us to examine what our lives are witnessing to. Are we demonstrating that Christ is sufficient for our deepest needs? Do our choices and attitudes reflect the reality that we've found what our hearts have been seeking? Are we living in a way that points others to a trustworthy source of fulfillment? Just as Simeon's life was a testimony of patient waiting rewarded, may our lives bear witness to the transforming power of desires fulfilled in Christ. Let our conduct, choices, and character testify that we have found in Jesus what our hearts truly seek.
Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:
Luke 2:30-32 (ESV)
For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
How does your life currently bear witness to the fulfillment you've found in Christ? What desire in your heart is still waiting for fulfillment, and how might God use that longing to draw you closer to Him?