When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt. (NIV) Matthew 2:13-14

One sunny winter day I was driving along a snow bermed road in Western New York. This was back when I was a pastor observing my custom of Sunday afternoon hospital visits. I knew the road well and the scenery whizzed by the edge of my consciousness, fogged by familiarity. But I was brought to full attention by a mental impression that shouted, “Turn in this driveway.” Too late for a turn signal, I slammed on the brakes and bullied my car into a left turn.

I knew the person who lived in the house and with nary a clue regarding what I would say, I knocked on the door. A very disheveled and distressed face appeared at the door.

“Mildred,” I said. “What are you doing?”

“I was just about to kill myself,” Mildred blurted out.

“You can't do that,” I blurted back.

“Why not?” she questioned, hoping for a good reason.

“Because Jesus loves you.” And with full conviction I followed with, “And he sent me here to tell you.” It was a life-altering event for both of us.

Sometimes it is important to respond to God at full speed. Joseph knew this. When the message came to him from the angel that the child’s life was at stake, he sped into action and left town in the middle of the night. To prepare for the coming of Christ requires that we prepare to respond to the next great thing that God calls us to do. Sometimes that requires that we move fast.

Advent, I believe, is a time to prepare ourselves to move quickly if we must, to engage in a spiritual swerve if we must. The question is not whether we are moving too fast. The question is whether we are aware enough of the Presence that if the wheel needs to turn, we can make the mental, physical, or emotional shift that will put us in sync with Christ. Life and health can hang on it.

It’s about being with Christ at all speeds.