Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat

  • About
  • Blog
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact

“COME TO JESUS!”—WHATEVER YOUR NEED

January 18, 2022 By Sarah Christmyer 3 Comments

Ever since Advent began, I’ve been praying: Come, Lord Jesus!

And come he did, in a whirl of stars and shepherds and “Joy to the World” sung into the night.

But Christmas came and went, and although the baby Jesus took his place in the manger in our nativity set, I didn’t feel like Jesus himself was any closer. At Mass as the gospel was read Sunday, I heard “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3) and I thought, That’s me! I have run out of spirit. Lord, where are you? I need you! Come, Lord Jesus!

 

Fresco in the Cathedral of Tsalenika, from the Church of Saint Saviour, in Georgia (Wikimedia Commons)

 

And he spoke into my emptiness: Sarah: I’m here. Come to me.

Jesus answers our longing

Advent is meant to increase our longing for Jesus, not just for his coming at Christmas, but for his coming again in glory. We cry to him, like it says in Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! And he answers: Yes – I’m coming soon (22:17, 20).

Whatever the Lord means by “soon,” it doesn’t always feel soon enough. Fortunately, in the meantime, he calls us: “Come to ME.”

  • Come away by yourself (Mark 6:31).
  • Come and see (John 1:39–41).
  • Come feast on my Word (Matt 4:4).
  • Come eat my Body and drink my Blood (John 6:52–58).
  • Come follow me (Matt 4:19).
  • Come stay with me (Matt 26:40).

If you long to feel the Lord’s presence in a new way, start by hearing his call. He’s waiting in his word and in the sacraments. Look up some of the passages above and pray with them. What do you hear? How will you respond?

Spend time with him in the Word

Maybe one of the following questions resonates with your need. Take a moment to read what Jesus has to say about it. Meditate on the Scripture, “chew” on it and let it become a word for you … in you … transforming you. Speak to the Lord about what you hear. He wants to talk to you! And he wants to come alongside you in your need.

—Are you thirsty with longing?

Come, and I’ll flood you with my living water. (John 7:37–38; Revelation 22:17)

—Are you sick at heart, because you did something wrong?

Come! and I will forgive you and heal you. (Luke 5:31–2; Mark 2:1–12)

—Are you sad? Are you mourning a loss?

Come! and I’ll comfort you. (Matthew 5:4)

—Are you anxious about the future?

Come! and I’ll care for you. (Matthew 6:25–34)

—Are you troubled or afraid?

Come! and I’ll give you peace. (John 14:27)

—Are you over-burdened? Bone-weary with life?

Come! and I’ll give you rest. (Matthew 11:28–30)

 

https://comeintotheword.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Come-to-me-all-who-labor-and-are-heavy-laden-and-I-will-give-you-rest..mp4

 

Jesus is calling you.

Let me give myself to you, he says. Eat and drink; find strength for the journey ahead.

Even in the chaos and the depths I am with you, he says.

Come to me! … and I’ll strengthen and bless you and fill you with joy.

 

© 2022 Sarah Christmyer. All rights reserved.

 

 

Filed Under: Scripture Reflection

Comments

  1. Anne Burr says

    January 18, 2022 at 11:08 pm

    This is so good, Sarah.
    Thank you.

  2. Sandra Pfeiffer says

    January 20, 2022 at 9:22 pm

    Sarah, this is beautiful and just what I needed! Thank you, friend!

  3. Sarah Christmyer says

    January 21, 2022 at 3:43 pm

    You’re welcome! Nice to see you here!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 characters available

Sarah Christmyer writes and speaks about Scripture and the Catholic faith with the goal of helping people meet Jesus in his Word. “The Bible isn’t just a book about God or instructions for a good life; it’s a place to meet God and be changed by him,” she says. Her love of Scripture fuels her writing of Bible studies and related books; her teaching of Philadelphia seminarians; her speaking at conferences and retreats; and writing for blogs such as this one. “Come Into the Word” draws people into the Bible and encourages and equips them to explore it on their own.

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

Search Come Into The Word

Categories

Recent Posts

  • TRUST IN GOD; HE’S GOT YOUR BACK
  • FINDING JOY AT CHRISTMAS
  • FOCUSING ON THE CHRIST CHILD with the O Antiphons
  • THANKSGIVING PSALMS: Drowning grief in gratitude
  • YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU: How to fill your heavenly “handbag”
  • RETURNING TO GOD…AND PRAYERS FOR UKRAINE

Archives

Recommended

  • Integrated Catholic Life – Catholic blogs and resources
  • Lux App and Lux University – online faith hub for women
  • Peter Kreeft – featured writings and audio
  • The Sacred Page (Michael Barber, John Bergsma, Brant Pitre, John Kincaid) – blog
  • Scripture Speaks (Gayle Somers) – commentary on the Mass readings
  • Speaking of Scripture (Mary Healy, Daniel Keating, Peter Williamson, et al) – blog
  • Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) – women’s ministry, book club, blog

 

We engage in affiliate marketing whereby we receive funds through clicks to our affiliate program through this website. This disclosure is intended to comply with the US Federal Trade Commission Rules on marketing and advertising, as well as any other legal requirements which may apply.

 

Let’s Connect

mailfacebook instagram pinterest

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

MENU

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Home

Copyright © 2023 Come into the Word LLC | Site designed by Cynthia Oswald

  • About
  • Blog
    △
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    △
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    △
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact