The Nearness of Our Promise

Praise in challenging times is not always easy. The human overcast hangs heavy and blocks out much of the sun's rays. Yet the call to praise persists and asks us to lift our eyes above the darkness of the cloudbanks. Such was the case for doubting Zechariah. Will he (and we) raise our spirits high to perceive God's new work of transformation in the coming Messiah? Will we allow God's nearness to overcome our pessimistic and skeptical hearts as we strive towards the new humanity of God's blessed kingdom?