Rough Ways

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."  Luke 3: 4-6

Masada Snake Path - Israel

I remember taking a gondola to the Masada, a famous fortress near the Dead Sea in Israel. It was 110 outside. I recall dozens of pilgrims ascending to the fortress via the Snake Path rather than riding up in the gondola. Isaiah dwelt in this land, knew this topography. Isaiah knew the virtual impossibility of making such paths straight, knew the impractability of making the deserts rocky paths smooth.

And yet.  And yet. What Isaiah knew, what John knew, is that there is some travail involved in preparing our hearts for God. We are saved not from our own efforts, but through God's grace, to be sure, but the simple gift of grace propels us into the work of preparing ourselves and our lives for God's most lavish extravagance: salvation.

This Advent, we prepare the way; we contemplate the exorbitance of our salvation. How will you respond? How will you make your paths straight, your roads smoother? Your height a little lower?