403 Court Street Appomattox, VA

What a joy it was to join Memorial Methodist Church as the 137th stop on this humbling journey, worshiping together through their online service.

Even through a screen, the presence of Christ felt near and gentle, like a holy whisper in the midst of Advent.

The service opened with a tender instrumental piano rendition of “What Child Is This?” each note falling softly, reverently, like a prayer.

Soon after, the congregation lifted their voices in beautiful hymns, joined by a soloist who sang a Christmas song so delicate and moving that it lingered in my heart long after the final note faded…

“You came like a winter snow,
Quiet, soft, and slow,
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below.”

That lyric alone felt like a sermon, Jesus entering the world not with force, but with gentleness, not with spectacle, but with surrender.

I find myself loving this season more deeply each year.

There is something about Advent that softens the world just enough to remind us of who we were meant to be, more patient, more loving, more attentive to one another.

The prayers spoken before the sermon reflected that longing. The pastor praised God for all He has done and lifted up specific members of the congregation by name. Even though I had never met them, I found myself praying alongside him, grateful for a church that carries one another before the Lord so intentionally.

Together, we prayed the Lord’s Prayer,

“Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven…”

The Scripture reading came from Matthew 11, and the sermon title followed with quiet authority,

King Jesus Changes Everything

The pastor began with a lighthearted football analogy, one that made the message immediately relatable. Expectations, he said, are powerful things. We carry them into relationships, careers, seasons of life… and yes, into our faith. But what happens when reality doesn’t match what we expected?

What happens when Jesus doesn’t do what we thought He would?

That question settled deeply into my spirit, especially today as my heart has been hurt by words from others recently.

In Matthew’s Gospel, John the Baptist, who had boldly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, now sits in prison. The same John who declared that every unfruitful tree would be cut down now sends his disciples to ask Jesus a haunting question,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Why the doubt?

John’s circumstances didn’t look like victory. His ministry hadn’t unfolded the way he expected. Jesus wasn’t overthrowing powers or calling down judgment the way John imagined.

Instead, Jesus was healing the broken, forgiving sinners, caring for the poor, and preaching peace.

And yet, this is what moved me most, John did not turn away from Jesus.
He turned toward Him.

He sought the truth from Jesus.

That spoke directly into my own life. There are parts of my story that look nothing like I hoped they would. Prayers answered differently than expected. Doors closed that I was sure God would open. Seasons that stretched longer than I believed I could endure.

And still, I keep seeking Jesus.

The pastor reminded us that faith is not offended when Jesus doesn’t meet our expectations, faith is refined. We must be willing to let Scripture shape our understanding of who Jesus is, rather than forcing Jesus into the shape of who we want Him to be.

Jesus knows what He is doing. His timing is not delayed. His plan is not flawed.

“Blessed,” the pastor said, “are those who say, ‘I need help.’”

I’ve learned to use those words over the past few years, something I was so afraid to do as a child.

Those words landed softly but firmly in my heart.

John’s suffering did not mean his calling was wasted. His obedience mattered. His faithfulness mattered. And even when the story didn’t end the way he imagined, God was still glorified.

That, too, is a word for us.

We are not called to success as the world defines it.
We are called to faithfulness.

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and in laying down His life, He changed everything.

As we move through this Advent season, may we carry that with us. When expectations crumble, when answers are delayed, when life unfolds differently than we hoped, may we keep seeking Jesus. May we trust that even then, especially then, King Jesus is still changing everything!

I am grateful for Memorial Methodist Church, for their reverent worship, thoughtful preaching, and faithful prayers. This message met me right where I am, and I will carry it with me as Christmas draws near.

May our hearts be drawn closer to Christ this season, not because everything is as we hoped, but because He is exactly who He promised to be.