S - Luke 2:1,3-4,21,25-28a (NLT): "At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. … All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. … Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. … Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.
O - Governmental decrees, angelic visits and chats, Spirit led, Scripture instructions and input from others all converge in the Christmas story. This is not unique to Jesus and his earthly parents. These elements, in varying combinations, are how the Lord shepherds all who are his own and how we participate with him in his will on earth (like it happens in heaven). Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus are at the Temple because of God's written voice (the Scriptures). Simeon is there because of God's speaking voice (the leading of the Spirit). Though they find themselves at the Temple in differing roles and by differing inspirations, they converge at the right time, in the right place with the right desire for heaven's purpose and plan to take its next stride forward. Knowingly and unknowingly, all people are at the disposal of God Almighty for the fulfilling of his will. All people are warmly invited and intensely desired to do more than this. We are all called to knowingly accept his offer of adoption into his family as dearly loved children and to live and work with him on earth like they do in heaven. When we do, we find that the Shepherd is not only good, he is very good at what he does and really is working everything for good. Good tidings of Christmas and a happy new life!
A - Caesar's motives are suspect on a good day and God's will is not. Instructions from the Scriptures, angels and others can be challenging and even unpleasantly difficult … and this is how my life will be shepherded because such are the means the Good Shepherd uses to reveal, confirm and accomplish his will in me/us and through me/us. I get to choose to be available and willing. He chooses all the rest: when, how, whom, why, where and for what purpose. This particular apparatus is one which insures that relationship remains THE real and abiding dynamic of all exchanges between God and us. Available and willing are the foundation for every love relationship. Should I be surprised or disappointed that these alone are my assignment? Should I spend the bulk of my energies and prayers trying to inspire the Lord in his assignment or asking him to assist me in mine? More than discovering a purpose the Kingdom of Heaven wants me to discover a person. Jesus reveals God exactly; and as the first disciples discovered he already has in mind what he is going to do. Willing and available I get to love him back and work with him in what he is doing.
P - Lord who is love, light, life and more than good all the time,
Thank you for my assignment which is so very doable today while it is called today even when I'm unclear, unsure and unhappy about how things are looking, going and happening. I want to lean on you rather than on my own understanding. I want to work with you, live in you and knowingly engage your will on earth like they do in heaven. Thank you for revealing yourself so exactly in Jesus and for giving yourself to the whole world. Please let me know you, love you back with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and love my neighbor as myself. Lord, I welcome new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me. Please, let me make you glad and be a reason someone else believes.
Available and willing,
Steve
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment