When Life Doesn’t Turn Out Exactly as You Thought
This past Thanksgiving week was different for me. For the first time in thirty-plus years, I did not cook/host. A few months ago, when we discovered that not one child was coming home, my husband looked at me and said, “Let’s go to Branson!” This town holds special family memories. When the girls were young, we spent many holidays at Silver Dollar City enjoying the Christmas lights and the festivities of this family park.
So off we went. Honestly, the two of us were weary in need of refreshment. We made plans to attend, the Sight and Sound Theater to watch the “Miracle of Christmas.” I have been pondering this production ever since I experienced it.
Have you ever had God interrupt the plans you’ve made?
Has He ever sent an angel to you and announced that you were going to be the mother to the Son of God?
I was struck anew with the thought of what Mary must have experienced.
All the emotions.
Anxiety. (Luke 1:29)
Fear. (Luke 1:30)
Questions. (Luke 1:34)
Surrender. (Luke 1:38)
Obedience. (Luke 1:38)
The resolve she made to trust.
The faith she possessed to believe the message given.
The courage she mustered as she told Joseph she was pregnant and “Oh, by the way, it’s God’s child.”
The waiting.
For the acceptance from Joseph (letting God work it out.)
A marriage without the celebration she had dreamed. Her parents had probably planned.
Bottom line, she did it.
The visitation and message from God on that gloriously terrifying night altered Mary’s plans.
The plans of God that would forever change the world.
Like Mary, none of us know our full stories.
What if the plans you have made get altered by the Creator?
Are you willing to let Him change the plans to bring Him the most glory?
This Advent season leading up to Christmas and the days after December 25th, will we allow Him to direct our steps even when we do not fully comprehend or see the end of our story?
The trip was a different Thanksgiving for me. One in which I reflected on the most important reason I’ve surrendered to ministry. The Miracle of Christmas is no fable or fiction. It is the most important story ever told.
Further questions for us to ponder…
Does my life reflect the events of that story?
Do I reflect a heart like Mary? She is not to be worshiped, but she is an example to all women.
Do I willingly allow God to altar my life plan? Do I let the God of this universe, direct my plans – Order my steps — altar my path.
Our Ministry lives are marked by God intervening and altering our plans to fit His GREAT plan – I want to experience the heart of a young Mary.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Praying for you, my sisters. We are navigating a changing world, groaning in birth pangs. A world, yearning for the return of our Savior, not as a babe in a manger, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Blessings on you this Christmas season!
Diane Nix is the director and founder of Contagious Joy 4 Him, a network of encouragement to ministry wives around the globe. They are offering “Free Refresh Retreats” and a safe place for ministry wives to share their hearts with other like-minded women. Thirty-six years ago, she married her husband, pastor/professor, Dr. Preston Nix. He is a professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at NOBTS. They have two biological daughters, two spiritual-grown daughters, two grands, and two son’s in-laws. Diane’s life bears the scars of addiction, abuse, loss, and dysfunction. Read more….Want to learn more about us?