In this conversation, Jonathan and Nicole discuss the inspiration behind Jonathan's book on Advent and the timing of its release. They explore the importance of waiting and longing, and how to navigate cynicism and despair. They also discuss finding God in small moments and witnessing holiness in the midst of chaos. The conversation highlights the personal and universal nature of Advent and the power of real relationships, surrender and resistance, and the sound of God. He emphasizes the importance of bearing witness, welcoming the judgment of God, and discerning when to say yes or no. Overall, the conversation explores the intersection of personal and global longing, the significance of Advent practices, and the liberation that comes from embracing truth and responsibility. We discuss embracing regret and growth, reflecting on past hurts, moving forward and living new life, bringing healing and freedom, the liberating power of truth, living with fierce humility, having nothing to hide or defend, the fierceness and tenderness of saints, and their first sit-down as a couple.

Takeaways

The Christian story is meant to pull all our levers, connecting us to a story that is bigger, older, and more future-oriented than ourselves.

There is a collective waiting and longing for the restoration and reconciliation of all things, both on a large scale and in our personal lives.

Advent calls us to consecrate the time of waiting and longing, recognizing it as a sacrament and an opportunity for reconciliation in broken relationships.

The longing for justice in the world and the longing for reconciliation in personal relationships are interconnected and should not be abandoned or prioritized over one another.

The sound of God is one of liberation, tenderness, and freedom, and it transcends the harsh, constrictive, and coercive voices that claim to speak for God. Regret is a natural part of life, and it's important to acknowledge and learn from it.

Reflecting on past hurts and the harm we may have caused others is necessary for growth and healing.

Moving forward and living new life requires honest self-reflection and dealing with our own issues.

Bringing healing and freedom to others requires a combination of fierce honesty and humility.

The liberating power of truth can set us free and create a context for growth and transformation.

Living with fierce humility means being open to feedback and constantly seeking truth.

Having nothing to hide or defend allows for a more authentic and beautiful way of living.

The saints embody both fierceness and tenderness, and they serve as role models for living a truthful and humble life.

As a couple, Jonathan and his wife have a unique dynamic of learning from each other and asking questions.

This conversation is just the beginning of many more discussions to come.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:36 The Inspiration Behind the Book

06:36 Publishing the Book

10:31 The Timing of the Book Release

13:05 The Importance of Waiting and Longing

16:17 The Presence of God in the Midst of Waiting

18:18 Navigating Cynicism and Despair

20:15 The Tension of Advent

21:38 Viewing Waiting and Longing as Sacrament

25:35 Finding God in Small Moments

28:13 Navigating Tensions in Communities

30:06 Witnessing Holiness in the Midst of Chaos

36:16 The Power of the Table

39:58 The Importance of Real Relationships

46:59 The Personal and Universal Nature of Advent

49:37 Revelation Language and Longing

50:18 Waiting and Longing for Restoration

51:10 Longing for Reconciliation in Relationships

52:02 The Intersection of Personal and Global Longing

53:01 Advent as a Time for Naming the Unnameable

53:29 Advent as a Space for Waiting and Longing

54:02 Discovering Advent Practices

54:57 The Importance of Waiting and Longing

55:25 The Command to Wait and Tarry

56:06 The Danger of Focusing on the Past

56:34 Reliving and Reenacting the Story

57:44 Intentional Waiting and Longing

58:11 Witness and the Power of Smallness

58:37 The Sound of God

01:00:53 Surrender and Resistance

01:02:10 Bearing Witness and Authenticity

01:03:07 The Judgment of God

01:03:53 Welcoming the Judgment of God

01:05:48 Discerning When to Say Yes or No

01:11:56 The Sound of God

01:19:28 The Sound of God and Self-Righteousness

01:21:07 Welcoming the Judgment of God

01:23:54 Saying Yes to Judgment and Truth

01:27:00 Personal Journey and Marriage

01:32:26 Life in Two Places and Protecting Loved Ones

01:38:01 Living with Depth and Liberation

01:40:12 Embracing Regret and Growth

01:41:11 Reflecting on Past Hurts

01:42:00 Moving Forward and Living New Life

01:43:19 Bringing Healing and Freedom

01:44:59 The Liberating Power of Truth

01:46:36 Living with Fierce Humility

01:47:32 Nothing to Hide or Defend

01:49:03 The Fierceness and Tenderness of Saints

01:50:26 First Sit-Down as a Couple

01:51:38 Asking Questions and Learning