Elul, The Perfect Time

 

Bobservations Column

By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The Angel Gabriel visited the Earth again, in the sixth month. On his previous trip, a conversation with Zacharias the priest left the priest literarily speechless! This time, Gabriel returns to Earth, but not to Jerusalem, instead he comes to Nazareth. In John 1 we read a quote from the Apostle Nathanael (gift of God), as he asks, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” We can read between the lines here that the City of Nazareth did not have a good reputation. But God had His eye on a couple there, about to be married.

God chooses the who, what, when and where that best suits Him, not us. The scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence.”

This tells us that God does the exact opposite of what mankind does. CEO’s are groomed to rule in industry because of college transcripts, looks, and abilities. Even a good track record of previous accomplishments is looked upon with great favor. Well, that’s man pinning the blue ribbon on other men.

God is more likely to find someone that’s unkempt, and grooms him or her specific to the ministry needs, not human expectations. To make the point, our audio specialist at church is hearing impaired, and our video specialist has more eye problems than most people. God calls whom He calls because He sees something that the human race misses. It’s not even a tangible, it is faith, and based in willingness to be bent to Gods will. Simply put, it is spiritually based and Spiritually discerned.

So where do we all “fit” in the Body of Christ? If you have ever wondered where you fit, it is best left up to the Lord Himself to plop you into the right place, at the right time, and for His right purposes. Pray to be His willing servant.

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” ~ Ephesians 4:16

Today's Audio Message: "Elul, The Perfect Time"

Do you have a plan for your life? – A list of things you hope or expect to accomplish? Maybe it’s finishing high school and going on to college, or graduating from college and starting your career. Perhaps it’s getting married and starting a family; or getting that promotion at work. We all have dreams and goals, what’s yours? How important is that plan to you? How would you feel if you knew that glorifying God most fully in your life would lead you to abandon all those plans? How would you respond to God?

Last week we began our study in the Gospel of Luke. The angel Gabriel announced to the priest Zacharias that he and his wife Elizabeth would conceive and bear a son. Elizabeth was barren and had prayed for years to conceive for a child, and here they are well beyond child bearing years, and God is answering that prayer. God had a purpose and a plan, and His timing is perfect. They would not just be parents, but parents of the forerunner of the long-awaited Messiah. Talk about a huge change in one’s life, but the angel tells Zacharias, “You will have joy and gladness.” The Lord has taken away Elizabeth’s disgrace and shame among the people, and Zecharias sees the link between this birth and the fulfillment of God’s plan that was written by the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 40:3-8.

This week, we see the angel Gabriel announce God’s plan to the young girl Mary who had found favor with God. This announcement comes within sixth months of the announcement made to Zacharias and her cousin Elizabeth. Now Mary is told that she would conceive and bring forth a son whose name shall be called Jesus. Pregnancy for an unmarried girl was and still is very problematic. How would she explain this to her family, her betrothed? Yet that doesn’t stop God from fulfilling His plan, by His means, and in His timing according to His perfect will - and yes, takes care of every detail. God’s plan would changed Mary’s plans dramatically.

How does she respond? Why does she respond the way she does? What lessons does Mary provide for us, as God changes our plans? Let’s find the answer to those questions as we look at Luke 1:26-56.