How many times have you heard someone say (or said it yourself): “Just by chance, I happened to be there,” or “I was just in the right place at the right time,” or the ultimate, “Just lucky, I guess?”
Really? Is it just luck? Is there such a thing?
Not if you believe in the sovereign God of the universe. When he’s in control, there’s nothing by happenstance. I think about it as the conductor of a grand orchestra. Each instrument, each musician has a unique part to play. By themselves, it may sound odd and out of place, but as a whole, we experience a beautiful piece of music.
Who’s in control of all that? The Conductor.
Let’s go back over two thousand years. God’s orchestration of events is amazing in the days, months, years prior to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. We know about the angels and amazing pregnancies of both Elizabeth and Mary, but a census? Really?
Yep. Sometimes it takes a government mandate to move us!
I’m sure Joseph and Mary were perfectly happy to stay in Nazareth, get the baby’s room ready, be close to family and friends for the arrival of their firstborn son — but no, they really had to move, so that the prophecies would be fulfilled to the letter. Surely, they knew that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem, but what excuse would make them want to go there? They didn’t have any family there. It was an ancestral home, but nothing more.
That’s when the Great Conductor stepped in and ordered a census!
That got them moving! And, the rest is history, or His Story, as we know it to be true.
What is God using to get you to move?
- A census?
- Job loss?
- Desire to be nearer to family?
- Allergies?
Sometimes, it’s the most insignificant thing that pricks our hearts and gets us to make a change. At other times, it’s a major life event that shakes us out of our complacency. Whatever it is, look around and see what God wants you to realize as a result.
Most likely, he wants to work in Your Story to His Glory. So, follow his lead and make history for him.
Grace and Peace