Being Reminded of the Things Left Undone. A Call to Get it together.

Being Reminded of the Things Left Undone

Advent Calls Us to Get It Together

Pastor Calvin Cook –

November 28, 2025

Scripture: “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.  Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:11–12

I spent yesterday- Thanksgiving Day – in a type of pseudo-Sabbath. It wasn’t exactly what a spiritual Sabbath should be, but it was a soul Sabbath. A wrenching out of the things that had occupied my heart, mind, and soul and interfered with what God is doing and desires to do. It was a quiet day- I tried to avoid outside interference, the news, anything that I would have to think about. I didn’t cross anything off the to do list, Instead enjoying just being present. Being present with God, with Gail, with the cats, with my own thoughts, cooking a meal from scratch, and just the humbleness of life that is more than food for the soul, it is a nourishment that makes one healthy.  

So now Advent begins. Advent always begins with a wake-up call. This year I am hoping and praying that it is not just a gentle nudge but instead a loud and blaring holy alarm clock. A time to be reminded that there are things we were supposed to do, prayers we meant to pray, people we knew we needed to forgive, ways that we needed to share the Gospel, spiritual disciplines we meant to return to, and steps of being a follower of Jesus that we failed to take.

The excuses are still there: Life got busy. We got distracted. We told ourselves, “I’ll get to it soon.” And soon never came. But Advent as it comes every year at this same time, before we jump into Christmas and forget the meaning, is God’s gracious reminder: Wake up. Prepare. Return. Reset.

This year I’m praying that Advent reminds me of the “unfinished business”. The work that God’s people, the church has been called to. Like the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus warns us not to live with lamps empty and hearts unready (Matthew 25:1–13). The wise were prepared. The foolish were not. And the difference was in the choices they made before the moment came.

This season I hope we hear the Holy Spirit saying, “Now is the time to get your heart, your head, your motives in order.  Now is the time to return to the things left undone.”

What have you left undone this year? A calling God whispered that you never acted on? A spiritual gift you shelved instead of used? A conversation of reconciliation you avoided?  A daily rhythm of Scripture and prayer you drifted from? A place of ministry you knew God was nudging you toward?

Advent hopefully will be a bright and shining light on a path to restore us. Calling us to be ready. Ready in heart, mind, and soul. May we become the change centered on Jesus that the world needs.

Scripture invites us to take action now. Zecheriah 1:3 reminds us “Return to Me…. And I will return to you!” As well as John the Baptist call in Luke 3:4 and Mark 1:6 repeating the words of Isaiah “to prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (more on this later)

May this advent season these 28 days be different this year. May it be more than a season of lighting candles, singing carols, decorating, going to parties, preparing meals, may it be a moment you finally say “Lord, no more delay. What you are asking of me, I will begin today.”

May you be reminded not as more of a burden or things on a to do list. But instead, honest to goodness, light receiving and sharing time of awakening. The Spirit reminding you of the things left undone!

Because Christ is coming. Advent is the time to get it together, to prepare your heart, to complete what was unfinished, and to walk forward in renewed devotion.

Prayer: Lord, in this season of holy preparation, awaken my heart. Show me the things I have left undone and give me courage to finish what You began in me. Make my heart ready for Your coming. Amen.