When I go mini-golfing, I love going first. It's so much fun to learn firsthand how to hit the ball into the hole. The unknown of how it works excites me, and then you add in the unexpected of the ball going in a direction you didn't plan for it to go in or it just rolls a little too far.
Life. Life can be like a mini-golf game. Each stage of it holds it's own obstacles and challenges you have to breakthrough. And a lot of times, it feels like you're the first one in the game going through each level, facing the unknowns and unexpecteds head-on.
We can let what we don't know and sudden shocks and surprises stop us. It's like getting stuck in a sand pit, which can be very annoying and overwhelming. We decide to take a break - let the next person go and grab some pizza in the meantime, cheat our way out, or give up on trying to make it out and accept our defeat...
OR, OR, OR!!! We can learn from the challenges that the unknowns and unexpecteds add in our lives and come out wiser on the other side. And we know we can do this with, and really only with, God's help because it's how He desires us to face these types of issues.
Uncertain seasons are a mixture of good and bad times – where blessings and challenges are wrapped together in a mysterious present.
Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel. He greeted her by saying that God was with her and was pleased with her. Then he had an unexpected announcement: Mary was going to have a son that would grow up to be the Savior of the world! This was crazy because she was a virgin; furthermore, she was engaged. Mary asked how this would happen. Gabriel explained that the baby would be conceived through a miracle from God. He also talked about how her cousin, Elizabeth, had become pregnant in her old age. Mary went to see her and was warmly welcomed. She told Mary that she was blessed for getting to carry God’s Son. Mary responded by praising God, even after getting unexpected news and not knowing how everything would work out, for she knew He was in control.
Three points about being grateful in times of instability: First, remember that the Lord is with us. Gabriel reminded her by a greeting that God was with her. Knowing that the controller of creation is walking with us makes uncertainty less scary. Second, understand that this season isn’t a punishment. Just because we’re going through unstable seasons, doesn’t mean we did something wrong. These seasons hold blessings. Gabriel told Mary that she had “… found favor with God…,”* not that she was in trouble. Third, spend time with Christians that uplift us and make us feel safe. In uncertainty, Mary went to her cousin Elizabeth who spoke beautiful words over her and welcomed her. It’s good to know people who’ll be there to encourage us and make us feel secure when so much else isn’t.
Here’s how not to praise God when things are uncertain: Question God instead of asking God questions – One is believing that God doesn’t know what He’s doing, the other is trusting that God holds all wisdom and knowledge. Refuse to accept your circumstances – Not accepting the journey or trying to change the situation to fit what you want, is saying that you know better than God. See only the negatives of uncertainty – Letting the negatives control your view of things can make you miss seeing the blessings.
God’s Guidance:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Luke 1:28 (NLT) – “Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Luke 1:30 (NLT) – ““Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”*
Luke 1:31-33 (NLT) – “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!””
Luke 1:34 (NLT) – “Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.””
Luke 1:35-36 (NLT) – “The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.”
Luke 1:38 (NLT) – “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.”
Luke 1:41-42 (NLT) – “At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.”
Luke 1:46-51 (NLT) – “Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.”
Luke 1:56 (NLT) – “Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.”
Application:
1. Read Luke 1:26-56 this week, that’s 5 verses a day
2. Talk to God about the unknowns and unexpecteds in your life, ask God your questions and for help to see the positives of this season
3. Decide the person in your life right now that you trust to be the one to uplift you and make you feel comfortable in times of instability, maybe you need to spend time with them this week
Strength Point:
God doesn’t mean for us to be brought down or oppressed by the unknowns and unexpecteds of life; but instead, to grow and get closer to Him through them.
Reflection Question:
How are you viewing the unexpecteds and the unknowns in your life?
Prayer Prompt:
Life. Life can be like a mini-golf game. Each stage of it holds its own obstacles and challenges you have to breakthrough. And a lot of times, it feels like you're the first one in the game going through each level, facing the unknowns and unexpecteds head-on.e, I want to give You my full trust. I pray that I would trust You instead of freezing and crumbling in fear. Teach my heart not to worry about what the future might hold, for I know that You are the one leading me. Even when things dot seem to turn out good, please give me the strength to still trust that something beautiful can come from it. Help me to see the unexpecteds in life as opportunities and the unknowns as adventures. Thank You for being steady and reliable while we go through a life filled with uncertainties. You are my constant! I love You! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being in control of our lives. You know exactly how our lives are going to unfold even to the last minute, nothing ever takes You by surprise. Help my friend to not react badly to uncertainty or view it only as negative. Create a desire in them to want to give You their full trust. I pray that my friend would trust You instead of freezing and crumbling in fear. Teach their heart not to worry about what the future might hold, for we know that You are the one going before them. Even when things don’t seem to turn out good, please give my friend the strength to still trust that something beautiful can come from it. Help them to see the unexpecteds in life as opportunities and the unknowns as adventures. Thank You for being steady and reliable while we go through a life filled with uncertainties. You are our constant! I love You, Jesus! In Your Name, I pray, amen.
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