God has a special plan to use you and me. He wrote a script designed just for us. Zacharias was used of God in the beginning of the Christmas Story, to to lay the groundwork for God’s story to save the world. The Angel Gabriel told him he would have a son, although his wife was old and childless to date. Zacharias was not totally on board at first. What kept him from instantly rejoicing that his wife would have a baby ? He doubted, out of fear and shock. What would we do in his situation? Like Zacharias, do we doubt God’s plan or His goodness?
God chose Zacharias, but also John, to participate in the story of Jesus. The angel Gabriel brought God’s message to Zacharias about his son, John, who was to come:
“ Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:13-17 NIV
Now, that’s a pretty specific and grand plan! Because Zacharias doubted God’s message, Gabriel made Him mute so he could not tell anyone about the plan which would be fulfilled at God’s right time. What if God did that to us? What if He made us mute until His next step of the plan was accomplished? Is that what it would take to get our attention and our belief?
People outside the temple wondered why Zacharias took so long and knew, as soon as He came out, that He had seen a vision. I think this was God working also. He uses people to show other people His mighty works. He used Zacharias and was preparing to use John. According to God’s message through Gabriel, John would be filled with the Holy Spirit, BEFORE HE WAS BORN! With God in Him, He would bring back people to God.
The Casting call, if God had one for the part of John, would seek those who want to be used of God for a higher purpose than just living for themselves. John will be used to live for God and draw people to Him. What a glory and an honor! But you know…we can do that too. All we have to do is ask Jesus to come into our hearts and we receive the Holy Spirit who will guide us every step of the way!
Know this: We are all chosen to play a part in the Kingdom! He is writing all of our stories. He is the main character, director, producer and employer. He runs the lighting too and makes us shine for Him. All we have to do is come and say,
“Dear Lord, direct me to be the best version of You in me, for Your story and glory. Help me to produce the message You want. Use me. Teach me. Just as I am, I come ready and willing to be cast. I love You.” Amen.
GROWwork: Consider the characters of Zacharias and John as described in Luke chapter one. Are you a Zacharias? Do you doubt God’s plan? Are you, like John, not born yet into God’s plan, but willing to be? Is anything holding you back from taking the part? Are we writing our own story? If we can get self out of the way a bit, we can be used on His stage!
Love and prayers to all of you. Have a great day in the Lord!
Tina
Glory in the Morning 