The A-maze-ing Plan of God

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2: 1-5

Isn’t it amazing how organized God is? His attention to detail is revealed in His astonishing sense of order, but in addition the way His plan usually unfolds reveals something else. It shows us His creativity in writing intricate and elaborate plots. He loves stories, and His stories are far more intriguing than any created by the greatest geniuses of this world. 

The passage from Luke on the birth of Jesus demonstrates God’s knack for theatrics. He didn’t have to make the path to Jesus being born in Bethlehem so complicated. By any number of natural or supernatural ways, He could have placed Mary and Joseph in that little town in time for the birth of Jesus in order to fulfill the old testament prophesy spoken of in Micah 5: 2. 

Instead, The Lord’s plan was WAY more interesting than that. A Census, a political tool from an oppressive foreign power, was used by the Maker of Heaven and Earth to bring the fulfillment of His Holy prophesy and purpose when the time was full.

Isn’t that the way of God for us too? Doesn’t it feel that many times life is nothing but a big huge brainteaser? It sure is an intricately complicated puzzle that we wouldn’t even be able to begin to piece together on our own. Once the time is right, however, He fits it all perfectly together...as we stand in awe watching how magnificently those tiny pieces fall gloriously into place. 

WOW, that was a mouth full! But when it comes to describing God’s plan, no words seem appropriate. The best part of it is that even though we are able to figure out some plots and sub-plots on this side of Heaven, we WILL get to understand it all once we make it Home… We will get to read that last page of the story of our lives, where all the questions are answered and loose ends are tied up.

Is God’s plan for your life right now looking more like a maze than like a straight path? Are you trusting Him and allowing Him to fill you up with His peace so you can be still and know? (Psalm 46: 10)