Last week brought us to the start of Advent, the season of waiting and preparing …
We began with reading Luke 1:5-17, and in this portion, Luke concentrates on Zacharias, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist.
Of Zacharias and Elizabeth, we are told that they were both righteous in the sight of God. Yet … it was in their old age that they fulfilled their God given purpose.
This brings me such hope that no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in today, God still has more for us to do.
Of John the Baptist, we are told of his unique mission:
“It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (verse 17, NASB)
John was the one who was “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
What would happen if we were to pray every day for the Lord to make ready a people prepared for the Lord?
This is the question that is convicting my heart this morning. I hope you’ll join me in praying for someone each day.
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We continued mid-week with reading Luke 1:26-33 and 2 Samuel 7:16-17.
“And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.” (Luke 1:28-29, NASB)
Mary was “perplexed” by the words the angel spoke. The use of that word ‘perplexed’ is what spoke to my heart.
Was she perplexed because:
- she didn’t see herself as favored with God?
- or perhaps she didn’t think God was with her?
- or maybe she wondered why an angel would come and speak to her of all people?
We are being reminded of purpose – and that God has a purpose for each of our lives.
Often we view “purpose” as something grandiose. But what if it were something seemingly small? What if the full impact of our purpose were hidden from us for reasons beyond our understanding?
The reading brought to mind Ephesians 1:3-5, and I encourage you to turn to it. May it remind each of us that we have been “chosen by God long before the foundations of the world”, “according to the kind intentions of His will”.
“When we focus on things above, we can see God’s hand in the ordinary and where we fit into the equation.”
(from It Could Only Be Jesus, page 28)
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We closed the week with reading Matthew 1:18-25 and Isaiah 7:14.
Here we find the story of Joseph and Mary. Young and betrothed to be married. Expecting their relationship and life to go a particular way and finding it turned upside down.
It was the last paragraph in the study that moved my heart this morning:
“The love of God is bigger than any circumstance or heartache.”
(from It Could Only Be Jesus” page 32)
Who of us has not discovered this to be true? No matter the circumstance, the challenge, the difficulty, or the pain, His love will sustain us. He is there with us in the middle of it all.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:23)
Immanuel. God with us. Today. And every day.
How has God shown His love to you specifically?
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“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.”
Photo 1: by Jessica Delp on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Catt Liu on Unsplash
I often think of Mary during this time of the year. She was perplexed with the words of the angel. How could she know how those words would change her life. What she was really agreeing to. There must have been many times in her life that she was perplexed as things unfolded before her as the mother of Jesus.
Mary reminds us all that we do not need to have all the answers or understanding in order to obey. We each discover His plan as we trust and follow God.
I often think of Mary and Joseph, as well. How could they have known their example would be so well-known to the world? It encourages one to just keep on doing the next right thing. You never know how things will work out!
There is no way Mary and Joseph could have imagined how their example would be known for all of time. It’s truly amazing to think on and the Advent season beckons us to do so.
Have you noticed how God reveals His plan for our lives one assignment at a time? It seems, in my life at least, that He leads you to one thing, which in turn prepares you for the next step in your journey. Only a Creator God who knows our past, present, and future can do that. Our destiny for God’s glory. Love that thought. Thank you for this inspiring post Ms. Joanne.
It is amazing, J.D., how God weaves it all together for our good and for His glory. I so appreciate your thoughts!
I feel my purpose has shifted somewhat this past month and it is troubling to me. So I appreciate this, Joanne: “no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in today, God still has more for us to do.”
Lisa, I am so sorry the shift is troubling you. I see you as a woman full of purpose and fulfilling God’s plan. You are a blessing to so many. I will be praying the Lord brings you peace in the middle of the shift. {{hugs}}