It Must Be the Catcha-ma-whats-it This Time
Yesterday our kids performed their Christmas play at church. Every year they do one in the spring, usually Mother’s Day, and one at Christmas. This one was called Bethlehem Express. It’s about a group of kids that take a train ride to see a live nativity but the trip doesn’t go quite as they had planned. They have to stop for the whatcha-ma-call-it and the thing-a-ma-bob and the catcha-ma-whats-it to be repaired. Oddly enough, every time they stop, they meet someone who reminds them of the nativity story. There was a young couple, taking a long trip and the wife was going to have a baby. They met sheep farmer Bill, that was my David. And then they stopped by an inn to wait for the train repairs and were offered a barn because there were no vacancies.
I bet you can’t guess what they found in the barn.
The young couple traveling, Mary and Joseph with new baby Jesus and sheep farmer Bill, I mean shepherd Bill. The whole train ride was for the children to experience the story of the birth of Jesus, not just see another nativity. The kids were getting frustrated with so many unplanned stops. They were confused, tired, wishing they hadn’t gotten on that train. My oldest son Joseph was the train conductor. It was the perfect role for my train loving boy. He tied it all together with this line:
…this trip might not have seemed to go the way YOU planned, but it was exactly what I planned for you. You see, this entire experience is meant to remind you that sometimes God does things in ways we don’t expect, and in ways we might not always appreciate, but He is ALWAYS in control, and He is ALWAYS working out His plan in His perfect way.
For months I’ve been listening to the cd of the musical in the car. Even when the kids weren’t in the car, it’s what was in the cd player, so that’s what played. It’s been a different season in life. We’ve had some tough days, some dissapointments and some unplanned stops like the kids had in the play. We thought we were moving forward but apparently the catcha-ma-whats -it was broken again. Issues here, issues there. But it seems like every time i’d be dealing with something heavy, they same song was playing from the kids’ play. It’s called The Road to Bethlehem. I need to send a message to Gina Boe at Brentwood Benson and just tell her thank you for writing the words Holy Spirit gave her.
Sometimes you just gotta trust where you’re goin’ is right where God wants you to be. ‘Cause each step He asks you to take has a purpose, even when it’s hard to believe! Remember the road to Bethlehem. Every single step, God was there with them. He proved He was faithful time and again on the road to Bethlehem.
So if you’re on a journey and you’re feeling worried, ask Him for help, and He will show the way.
Everytime you’re doubting, talk to Him about it. He’ll give you what you need to walk by faith. Sometimes you just gotta trust where you’re goin’ is right where God wants you to be. ‘Cause each step He asks you to take has a purpose, even when it’s hard to believe! Remember the road to Bethlehem. Every single step, God was there with them. He proved He was faithful time and again on the road to Bethlehem.
Honestly, every time I was on the phone dealing with one more thing, I’d hear in the background “He’s faithful, so faithful, He proved He was faithful time and again.” And I’d take a deep breath and another step.
That’s what’s on my heart to share with you today. Even though
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
We are still living in a broken world with an enemy that hates us as much as God loves us.
BUT
There is not one moment of our lives that God is not aware of us. There’s not one moment of our lives that He is not watchful over us and there is not one moment of our lives that He will leave us alone to navigate this broken world.
Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14) has become God in us.
Jesus told His disciples at the last supper (John 15:26)
But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes from the Father…
and Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.
We can rest in the truth that
The One who is living in you is far greater that the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
There is a Strengthener. There is an Advocate. There is a Helper and a Counselor that God has sent for His people. Regardless of the bumps, stops, or even derailments we experience in life we can be confident that God has seen to it that we will reach our destination.
Psalm 62:5-8
My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetreable hardness, and my refuge is in God! Trust in, lean on and rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us ( a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause and think of that]!
I just want to remind you, (and me), that God is faithful. The same God Who spoke the sun, moon stars and planets into existence is the same God Who has spoken life, purpose and love over you. Yes, there are going to be things that just plain stink in life. But we are never left to deal with them alone. It’s how we deal with these moments that allow God to prove His goodness.
Christmas, the day Christians celebrate birth of Jesus, brought hope into the darkness. Let Him bring hope into your world. You know, He entered this world, bringing hope, in one cave (the “stable” was most likely a cave) and walked out of another cave giving us victory over that enemy of ours, satan. Baby Jesus grew up and was crucified. He offered Himself as payment for our filth. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. When God called Jesus out of that tomb on the third day, satan was forever defeated.
This is why I can tell you, with confidence, He’s faithful. So faithful. And in this Christmas season, I can look at the frustrations around me and
wrap my heart tightly around the hope that lives within me, knowing that God always keeps His promises! Hebrews 10:23
and I know He’s going to get me to my destination.