As I get older I seem to get a little more set in my ways. I have always been a little hard headed and stubborn, but it seems that I am getting a little more…let’s say… contrary (okay, a lot). I know there are many ways of doing certain tasks, but I usually have a way of doing something and I, also, happen to believe my way is the best, easiest and fastest. For anyone to think otherwise, well they are just wrong.
Yeah, that sounds pretty obstinate and contrary. I should probably soften up a little and be open to more ways of accomplishing a task. My way does tend to isolate people and prevent receiving any help. And, every once in a while, someone even has a better and easier way if I allow them show me.
I say all this because I was reminded last week. I was preparing for Christmas, lights, tree, decorations, and sermons for the month. I pondered how God often does things totally unexpected. Unexpected, how you may ask? Well, in Genesis God tells Noah to build a boat for a flood that is getting ready to hit. The problem with this is there were no boats at this time. Never had a flood happened or a massive rainfall. But Noah built, and the rains and floods came.
God chose Abraham and Sarah (Abram & Sarai at that time). They were going to be parents. That is exciting news except Abraham was 75 and Sarah 65. Kind of old to be having a kid, especially your first. And, then God waited 25 more years to bring this about, putting Abraham at 100 and Sarah 65!
God builds a nation, the Hebrews, and sends them to Egypt to escape a horrible drought. Then He leaves them there for over 400 years. And to make matters worse, a Pharaoh comes along who doesn’t know Joseph or his legacy. He puts them into slavery, harsh slavery.
God sends Moses to deliver them. Moses begins to tell Pharaoh to let the people go. Pharaoh makes work and life harder confounding Moses’ attempts to free the Hebrew children. As a matter of fact, the Hebrews are ready to kill Moses and Aaron.
When Pharaoh does let them finally go, they end up boxed-in with the Egyptian army behind and Red Sea in front with no prospect of escape. But God splits the sea and the people cross with the sea closing on the Egyptian army.
God passes up all David’s brothers, who in all appearance were capable to be a king, so He could choose a young shepherd boy to be King of Israel.
God tells Isaiah and Jeremiah to prophesy naked to the people hoping they will hear God’s message of repentance. He tells Hosea to marry a prostitute to show Israel of their infidelity with other gods. God puts Jonah in the belly of a whale for three days and nights to get him to go to the Ninevites. God even uses pagan nations (Assyrians and Babylonians) to discipline His children.
Jesus chooses an odd bunch to be His disciples. Of the twelve He chooses four fishermen, one tax collector and another who is a thief and will betray Him. Not my first (or second or third) choice.
The man that began a world evangelism tour, starting churches to the known world, was in on a murder plot to kill Stephen. He persecuted many believers throwing them in prison early in his career as a Jewish leader. Then when he became a Christ follower, he would go to a town and a riot would start and a great division among people.
And even when the fullness of time had come God chose a young virgin, unwed but engaged, to birth the Messiah. God used current events of the time to draw Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem where the Messiah, the King of Kings would be born. And born not in a house or hospital but a manger. Add to this mix, God sent an angel to a group of shepherds to announce the birth of the Christ child!
That is not the way I would have done it… any of it. From Genesis to Revelation, I think I would have done things considerably different. But, I am not God. He didn’t ask my advice, nor did He need it. Sometimes there are better ways, other ways of doing things that do not make sense, but they work none the less.
Jesus being born in a manger and not a hospital and his birth announced to a group of shepherds not to the religious elite doesn’t seem to be the way anyone should do it, but God did. The Lamb of God was announced to the ones who shepherd, care for and lead the lambs. That does make sense.
So this Christmas, how about doing things a little different. Do things other ways, look for Jesus in the ways that may not be the way you would do it, but Jesus is there in it anyway.
Merry Christmas Bro. Tim
First Southern Baptist Church, Gore
