A Change of Plans

 

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give his name Jesus.”  (Luke 1:31)

She had her entire life ahead of her. She was engaged and looking forward to getting married. But all that changed in a single moment. The angel appeared to her with a story that was hard to believe except for one small thing. It was exactly what had been prophesied back in the time of Isaiah, ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son’(Isaiah 7:14). Mary would have been familiar with that prophecy.

 

Suddenly her entire life changed. God had changed her plans! But that didn’t mean it was going to be easy. Over the next few months tongues were wagging and she escaped to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also pregnant. She was shamed for her pregnancy, and even her fiancé, Joseph, questioned her faithfulness to him.

 

Even though it was God’s perfect plan, the fulfillment of prophecy, that didn’t mean that it would be easy for Mary. There would be times when I am sure she questioned what was happening in her life. Yet her response revealed her trust in God. ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said’. (Luke 1:38)

 

How do you respond when God changes your plans? Do you respond like Mary? Do you trust that He will work out even the difficult things you are going through? Do you praise him even when the going gets tough?

 

What are you facing today that wasn’t according to your plan for your life? Are you doubting that God could be at work even now when everything has changed? Praise him for who he is and thank him that even now, he is at work.

 

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you that I can trust you even when my plans are changed. You have not changed and you are still at work. Help me to remember that when everything around me is uncertain and changing, that you are still the same God who sent an angel to talk to a virgin over two thousand years ago. Amen.

 

Throughout this Day:

When you are tempted to be discouraged by changes in your plans, take the time to first praise God for who he is, thank him that he is still at work, and then trust him to be at work even now.