I was reflecting on the Nativity Story, once again, as the Christmas season approached and I felt that my eyes were opened to two new lessons. I have heard the story so many times and have always simply focused on the birth of Jesus and the meaning behind his coming to Earth. This year my attention seemed to be focused more on Mary and Joseph's story. Two individuals, with human hearts, who are placed in circumstances that are beyond most peoples understanding or acceptance, and yet they followed God even when they had not yet seen what Christ's presence on this Earth would mean. They held on to hope and it was that hope that gave them the strength to overcome circumstances that would change their lives forever.
We usually get in our minds that when God does something important he creates circumstances and surroundings that are full of peace, luxury, and ease; however, in the birth of His one and only Son--the circumstances and surroundings were full of difficulty. Mary was shamed by her family and her community because they could not understand, yet Mary had to continue to work and to live amongst them throughout the entire pregnancy.
At the birth of Christ, it was a cave or a stable that was meant for animals, where God had her give birth to the Christ child. It wasn't a luxurious hotel, filled with adoring staff, and a comfortable atmosphere that greeted her, it was yet again another set of circumstances that proved as a test of the Hope that she had in her God.
All of this just really flooded my heart this year and made me wonder if my heart is as willing as Mary's to accept the challenges, the adversity, and the difficulties that may surround when the very hand of God is leading me to His promise and His will for my life? Am I under the assumption that life will become easy if it's God's will for me to move, to change, to take that next step in His direction?
The Nativity Story made me think of the word "Perspective."
It made me understand that God almost always brings about impossible circumstances to show His power, His peace, and His providence in our lives when He asks of us to follow Him and to live out His will for us.
This journey was never meant to be easy but it is the peace of God that passes all understanding and guides our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
This Holiday my prayer is that I would have a Spirit of peace in saying to God, "if it is your will Father, then let it be so."
We usually get in our minds that when God does something important he creates circumstances and surroundings that are full of peace, luxury, and ease; however, in the birth of His one and only Son--the circumstances and surroundings were full of difficulty. Mary was shamed by her family and her community because they could not understand, yet Mary had to continue to work and to live amongst them throughout the entire pregnancy.
At the birth of Christ, it was a cave or a stable that was meant for animals, where God had her give birth to the Christ child. It wasn't a luxurious hotel, filled with adoring staff, and a comfortable atmosphere that greeted her, it was yet again another set of circumstances that proved as a test of the Hope that she had in her God.
All of this just really flooded my heart this year and made me wonder if my heart is as willing as Mary's to accept the challenges, the adversity, and the difficulties that may surround when the very hand of God is leading me to His promise and His will for my life? Am I under the assumption that life will become easy if it's God's will for me to move, to change, to take that next step in His direction?
The Nativity Story made me think of the word "Perspective."
It made me understand that God almost always brings about impossible circumstances to show His power, His peace, and His providence in our lives when He asks of us to follow Him and to live out His will for us.
This journey was never meant to be easy but it is the peace of God that passes all understanding and guides our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
This Holiday my prayer is that I would have a Spirit of peace in saying to God, "if it is your will Father, then let it be so."
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