Patience is not apathy, it isn't idleness. While we are called to wait during the Advent season, we are called to wait persistently, living and working as followers of Jesus even in the midst of struggle. James 5:7-11 / Psalm 9:1-14 / Zephaniah 3:14-20

Christianity is about getting our hopes up. Advent reminds us that we have a future on the horizon that is more incredible than anything we could ever imagine and that overshadows and overwhelms any fear or doubt this life may bring. Haggai 2:2-5 / Psalm 84 / Hebrews 10:32-39

Abraham had incredible faith and it was counted to him as righteousness. That faith inabled Abraham to believe in and trust in the promises of God, even when they seemed impossible. Genesis 22:1-17 / Psalm 105:1-10 / Galatians 3:1-9

Mary was called to do something difficult, if not impossible. Her response begins with fear and uncertainty, but ends in praise, glory, and a humble confidence that God would do through her what she could never imagine doing on her own. Luke 1:46-55 / Psalm 90 / Micah 5:2-5a

What does Christian work look like? How does Jesus define righteousness? In this episode, we examine the work we are called to as Christians: to love Jesus caring for the "least of these". Matthew 25:31-46; Psalm 23; Jeremiah 29:4-14

Salvation in Jesus is both a present hope and a future reality. That's good news worth getting out of bed for! The Advent season reminds us that we are closer to salvation every single day, and that is something that should excite us, wake us up.

Advent reminds us something better is coming. The prophet Isaiah was given a little glimpse into what that better hope we have in Christ will one day look like. In Christ, we are promised a better Eden, the world as it should be, where swords and spears are turned to landscaping equipment and the whole world will be filled with the glory of God.

The Christian life is a constant struggle, sometimes feeling like we take one step forward and two steps back. Even worse, when we sin and fall short we can start to feel like we are somehow bringing God's sovereign plan for our lives and our world crashing to the ground. We give ourselves too much credit. The Advent season reminds us that God's plan of salvation began long before we took a breath, long before sin showed its ugly face in our world, and that is good news that brings hope to broken sinners.

They say patience is a virtue, but it can often feel like agony. But what if patience isn't simply a way to be more like Christ through misery? The Advent season teaches us to wait on the promises we have in Christ, but that our waiting is beautiful and should be a cause for joy, not sorrow.

Welcome to An Invisible Ocean. This episode is a brief introduction to let you know what this podcast is all about and what to expect going forward.