Did the era and surroundings play a large part in the willingness of people to have such strong faith? Probably in some situations, but I could imagine some people I know of having that level of commitment and loyalty this day and age as well.
What about the presence of angels? Was that helpful to have a more definite sign and message from God? Now, we have the holy spirit and sometimes-as the heart can be so misleading-it's a battle to figure out what is what. But it also mentions sometimes angles appearing in dreams-was it unmistakable? Was their presence so strong that you couldn't mistake it for the mind games and oddness that sometimes dreams bring-as the holy spirit can be?
How is it that just by hearing of the past, just by hearing of the stories passed down from generation to generation that they could grow so strong in their faith?
It amazes me and challenges me all in one. Although they were in a different time and surrounding, they chose to have faith and not doubt. Well, maybe they had moments of doubt-but they chose to preserver through despite any lingering questions or misunderstandings.
There are many thoughts, ideas, questions that I have and will continue to have. So much that is beyond me in concept and beyond me in knowledge. The way I would map out plans, the way I would execute them are not the way that God does or will do.
And that is where I struggle. In the unknown. A recent sermon I listened to pointed out that even if I have a good idea of where He is leading me, I don't know the steps He'll lead me through to get there and I don't know when His plan may take a left when I thought it would take a right.
That is where, like Mary and the magi, I believe to stand in my choice. To not look around the room, at my family, at my job, in my friends, in my life and see where God can fit and work through it all---but instead to look at God first, and see how He will move amongst what He has surrounded me with and what He will do with it all.
Not fit Him into my life, but seek Him first. Let His plans and His will be mine. Have the amazing faith and commitment as Mary did, as the magi did. Follow what has been taught, what has been written, what God has given as directions and quit letting the questions that are bigger than me run over His glory-run over the reality that choosing to believe in God means choosing to believe in Him throughout all the good, the bad, the times or things I can't grasp in understanding-through it all.
All my faith. All my trust. To treat Him, and look at Him as He should be. Not as a God who is there to serve me, my family, my life--but as a God who deserves respect, love and for me to serve Him through my trust, actions and words.
This Christmas is simple and sweet. I feel like I am able to slow down, look around, and see things in slow motion. Not rush through it all. Not play into or play up the gifts and hoopla of the season, able to see the fun in traditions yet try and focus on my beliefs and convictions that without God I wouldn't be here, nor would all those I love, and that we are here for a bigger purpose than ourselves.
Instead of getting wrapped up in my plans, my agenda, I need to try and remember to be open and willing to where God wants to take and use me individually, us in our marriage and as parents, my family, our jobs---every dang thing.
Hard to remember, easy to forget, but worth the fight.
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