A Masterpiece in the Making
by Terri Williams Dunson
When reading the Bible,
I sometimes try to put myself in the place of the person being talked about:
For example - how did Mary and Joseph feel?
An angel appears to tell you that you will give birth to God's Son,
Yet, when you arrive in Bethlehem, you can't even find a room to stay in.
Do you start doubting your sanity (once again)?
You end up in a stable and give birth to baby Jesus.
It's quiet...
except for a few animal noises in the barn.
You look around at the shadows and scratch your head.
You thought there would be trumpets and a grand celebration.
But talk about "silent night",
Tonight is REALLY quiet,
The barn is REALLY damp & animal smelly,
And you REALLY want to go home.
Sometimes our life seems quiet and dark,
Especially when we feel we need God the most.
Sometimes we don't see Him,
Or hear Him.
We start scratching our head...
wondering...
doubting...
thinking all kinds of negative thoughts.
Before long, we are filled to the brim with fear.
God, where are you?
Do you still care about me?
Do you still love me?
If you think God was quiet when Jesus was born,
That there was no fanfare or celebration,
Then I invite you to read Luke 2:8-14.
Maybe it was quiet in the stable,
But there was a BIG CELEBRATION going on.
Look at Luke 2:8-14 -
Read it slowly - and take in every word,
Because the shepherds could tell you
a different story:
And there were shepherds
living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all people.
Today in the city of David
a Savior has been born to you;
he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the
heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When God seems quiet, know this:
He still cares -
He is still there -
He never stops loving you.
When God seems quiet -
He is still working.
He is putting the finishing touches
on a masterpiece,
A masterpiece that he is about to unveil
in YOUR life!
To Mary and Joseph,
It might have been dark and quiet in the stable,
But there sure was a celebration in heaven,
A celebration so big
That it was flowing right down to earth,
Right down to the shepherds,
And right into YOUR life!
Are you waiting on God but all you hear is quiet?
Are you looking for God but all you see is darkness?
Keep trusting - Keep believing!
God is adding heavenly touches
to a masterpiece that is about to drop
right into YOUR life.
Is the stable quiet?
Is the night dark?
Is God far, far away?
Are there no answers to your prayers?
Far from it!
God is adding a few finishing touches
that will stop the world in its tracks!
Just ask the shepherds!
