Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Today’s passages for our church devotions couldn’t have coincided at a better time. I’m amazed at how they reflect the same message. A couple of years ago, I decided to lead us through the Old Testament consecutively beginning with the book of Psalms, along with the New Testament starting with the Book of Acts. We just finished Revelation last week and have begun with the Gospel of Matthew. And today, we have two readings that are always read together at Christmas! What are the chances of that occurring?
As a Christian, I don’t believe in chance, so there has to be something important going on here. This is Kairos (ky-ross) in action, which is God’s holy timing. Something about this amazing coincidence is here for us to learn, but what is it?
Timing itself.
I think that the Holy Spirit is showing us that things don’t happen randomly and that Christ didn’t just come into the world by chance. God chose that special moment in history as the Center of Time itself. Everything else before Christ’s birth leads up to that sacred moment; everything that happens hereafter is eternally affected by it. Our world would not be the same if Christ had never been born. He came at a moment, time, and place where His Life would be most effective in the world for centuries. That wasn’t chance; that moment was chosen by God so that our own lives would be informed, reformed, and transformed by our knowledge of Jesus today. As Einstein was once reported to have said: “God doesn’t roll dice.” In other words, everything has a purpose, a plan, a special time and a sacred meaning.
This means that our own lives are all part of this process that was begun and fulfilled by Christ’s birth. This means that our lives are not without purpose, point, or meaning. We all have special roles to play in this Great Work of God, so we are special, we are significant, we are sacred.
It’s all in the timing, that’s why Christ is the True Lord of Time, Creation, and Eternity.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are things happening in our lives that are not subject to chance or coincidence. You plan to have us fully involved in Your Mission. Reveal to us this day where our purpose in Your Kingdom work on Earth truly lies. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Today’s drawing is his latest Appalachian Autumn picture. It’s called “Autumn Cover.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6215/6227111933_f2428569cc_b.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment