Narrow Road

There are moments where words just fit together in a way that perfectly makes sense. Usually they come as a surprise, a random stroke of genius at a time when you least expect it. This was what happened to me last night. I had been tossing and turning in bed when a sentence floated through my mind. And then it floated through a few more times... So I pulled out my journal and wrote it down.

"Plan things on your own and you will fail, but follow God's path for you and you will succeed in ways that you would have never imagined." 

This reminds me of a Sanctus Real song that I've had on replay for the past few weeks. The lyrics of the second verse go:

"I'm starting to see why this is called the narrow road
Cause if I wanna walk this way, oh I've gotta stay close
I'd leave anything in the fire to bring us together
I want nothing between my soul and my Savior"

We are called to walk a narrow road. And we are told in Matthew 7:14 that few will find it. I don't know about you but for me that means that I want all the help that I can get! Psalm 37:23 tells us that "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." God wants to be a part of every single little detail in our lives. He doesn't want to leave us hanging. He wants us to prosper. The key is that we need to have our plans lined up with His. Sometimes that means that we will have to discard plans totally and other times they might need to change just a little bit. We also need to trust that He always has our best interests in mind.

So if you're feeling discouraged by what is going on in your life right now and you don't know why God hasn't placed you where you want to be, don't worry. Trust. He will provide answers, and though they might not be the ones that you want hear, they'll be the answers that you need to hear.

"Commit everything you do to the Lord. 
Trust him, and he will help you."
-Psalm 37:5

"God intends to give us what we need, not what we now think we want."
- C.S. Lewis

Awkward Timing, Perfect Timing

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
- Matthew 1:18-19

I often found this part of the Christmas story confusing. I mean, it says that Joseph was her husband but she was only pledged to be married? What? At church this Sunday my question was answered.

Back in Biblical times there was a trail period for a year where the sexual purity of the women was drawn into question. They lived in separate homes for that year but legally were married. It was to make sure that the woman was as pure as she could have been. 

So why did God choose this time to get Mary pregnant? It wasn't the most convenient time. We know from a story later on in the Bible with an adulterous woman and the Pharisees that Mary could have been stoned to death for this. And He told Mary before Joseph when He could have told them both at the same time... then Joseph would have been in the loop too. 

But God didn't do this. I think it's because He wants to show that His timing is perfect, not ours. He never promises that our lives will be convenient but He does promise that He knows what is going on and it's for our best. 

As you go into this Christmas season, think on this: God's timing might not be convenient but it is perfect.