It has been many years since I discovered this verse and named it my favorite, but the more I study the Bible, the more I lean on these words. By nature, I am a thinker. I am a planner. I am a manager. I am focused on my goals and don’t allow myself much room to sit back and see what happens. With that said, I am also a believer in the Word of God. I recently heard a sermon was about life’s interruptions and how we react when the unexpected happens. Take a moment to think about the last time your life was interrupted—maybe you locked yourself out of your car, maybe you lost your wallet, maybe you unexpectedly lost a loved one, maybe a loved one needed to move into your home. How do we react in these situations? Since we are entering the Christmas season, let’s think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, how she reacted to the news that she was pregnant, and she was a virgin! Talk about a surprise! Luke 1:28-29 states, The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Can you imagine? Initially she experienced a human reaction to this change of plans. She was greatly troubled. After a few questions were answered, her response became,“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38 We serve a God who gives us choices. We are His children, He is our Creator, He has made the plans for this world, right down to the individual plans for our lives. But…God is not a dictator, He allows us to choose. He allows us to choose our own paths. We must realize that our view is limited. We are humans, not privy to the plans of the Almighty God. We must trust God’s plan and be in constant dialogue with Him so that we do not stray. We must listen for the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit that gives of comfort, direction and peace. We must make sure that we are not acting based upon our own understanding. If we are anything, we are sheep that can and will stray. God gave Mary a choice. I cannot imagine what would have happened, if she decided that she did not want to bear the Son of God. Jesus had a choice, too! He and the disciples were getting along very well. He was drawing crowds to hear him preach, then His life was interrupted with the crucifixion. Yes, the crucifixion was done to fulfill prophecy, that man would be redeemed, but even Jesus, had a choice. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:38. We must be grateful that he make the choice to go along with God’s plan. The next time something unexpected happens in your life, don’t get upset and go to pieces. Stop and think--could this be happening for a greater good than I can currently see or imagine? Could God be using this to set up something great? Get outside yourself. Put your plans aside. Pray. Wait for further instruction. Acknowledge the only One who can make your paths straight. (And this goes for me, too! :-) Have a great week! If you are just joining this blog and would like to read some of the past entries, click the archives on the right. Please don't be shy about clicking LIKE, entering your EMAIL address, making a COMMENT, or SHARING this blog with friends or family. It encourages me to keep writing when I know people are reading. Thank you! Kim
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If you like this style of writing, you will enjoy Turn North: A 30-Day Devotional and Journal written by the author of this blog.
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