Roll On Mighty River

‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

I like to sing my songs by the river. It’s peaceful, relaxing and the birds seem to enjoy singing along with me; or maybe it’s the other way around. I found it a challenge to finish this song. I try to imagine Jesus returning in a cloud over ‘Wollumbin’/Mount Warning/the ‘Cloud Catcher’ nearby, but it’s quite a fantastic vision. His admonition not to be weighed down by the worries of this life is what really drew me into the text and got things started. I don’t need to imagine, that danger is very real. I don’t want to deal in false “hopium” but through faith, I’m invited into the supernatural promise for a purpose. It is outrageous, but these are outrageous times requiring our surrender to the gift of faith we’ve been given.

This Advent, I celebrate with the Common Grace community in proclaiming this gift we have been given in the birth of Jesus, this gift of new life, this gift of faith; our redemption is near and soon!

‘Roll On Mighty River’; let justice flow.

Luke Vassella is a performer and singer/songwriter from Lismore, Widjabul Country. Luke‘s soulful music powerfully weaves joy and pain, local and global, faith and justice together. He always has a new song to tell an old story and regularly performs at weddings, markets and the beautiful Hinterland Chapel.

This devotional is the first in a series of daily email devotionals for Advent 2024 reflecting on the life-giving, thirst quenching justice of Jesus we long to see flow across these lands. A justice overflowing with love and compassion, bringing forth hope, healing, nourishment and flourishing for all.

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