advent week 1 – an unstoppable force meets an immovable object

Before participating in our Advent content, consider reading Luke 1:26-38 to prepare your heart for Delwin’s message.

There’s a classic philosophical concept that comes up in movies like “The Dark Knight”, or in songs like “Something’s Gotta Give” and even the great American cultural phenomenon of 1987: WrestleMania 3. 

It’s called the Irresistible Force Paradox. “What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?” So what is the actual answer? Are there any real-life examples that put this paradox to the test? 

If there’s one thing that you and I, artists in our church, are confident will happen every year without fail, whether in-person or by some beautifully done online service, it’s Christmas. That’s an unchangeable date, an incredibly tall task, an immovable object if there ever was one.  

The coming of Christ was an immovable reality. The world at large needed a savior and the people of Israel had been promised a Messiah through the line of David. The stage was set, and the people were waiting. But how would the Messiah come? 

In Luke chapter 1, the Angel of the Lord comes and meets with a teenage virgin named Mary. The conversation unfolds in a way that appears as though Gabriel drew the short straw in a “crucial conversation“ contest. In our vernacular, it would’ve gone like so… 

 “Hey, Mary! Don’t worry. God thinks you’re awesome, and He digs you. Mmkay? Now… You’re gonna have a kid… and he will be THE king. Like the one you’ve been waiting for. How are you feeling about that?” 

You could cut the tension in this text with a butter knife. 

Then Mary asks this simple question, a question that everyone who’d heard about the coming Messiah throughout the generations was asking: “How will this happen?” 

Now the angel’s reply at this moment marks the entrance of the second player in our paradox: the unstoppable Force. “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” 

The same Holy Spirit that was present at the beginning of time, hovering over the waters, would come over Mary and prove His power – the exact thing needed to bring about the coming of the Messiah. 

An unstoppable force meets an immovable object.  

The rigors of preparing for our immovable event will bring us long hours, short tempers, and tired souls. But the text beckons us to embrace this reminder: the only way we are effective is if the unstoppable force of the Holy Spirit breathes upon our work and the Most High overshadows us.  

May the Holy Spirit of God bless you, keep you, and make His face shine upon you. May He be gracious to you as He turns His gaze toward you and gives you His peace.


Need some community and prayer during this time? Reach out to us and let us know how we can pray for you, your family, your team, and your church this holiday season!

Picture of Delwin Eiland

Delwin Eiland

Delwin Eiland is a husband to Ashlee and a dad of three. He currently serves as the Worship Pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. As a worship leader and artist, Delwin has been featured by national and international organizations including Bethany Christian Services and The Global Leadership Network. He holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Illinois-Chicago and is a featured songwriter for DulaneylandMusic Production Services. When he isn’t working, he enjoys working out, cooking, dating Ashlee, and being a great dad!

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