Yesterday during staff devotions our discussion centered around the ways that God spoke to different people in different formats in the Christmas story. God spoke to Zechariah in the Temple through an angel. He spoke to Mary through an angel. He spoke to Joseph through a dream in which an angel appeared. God spoke to Elizabeth through a child in her womb. To the Magi, God spoke through logic and astronomy. To King Herod, God spoke through the religious leaders and teachers (even though Herod's intention was evil). The shepherds were informed by signs and wonders - the glory of the Lord shined brightly around the angels and they heard a great heavenly host speaking.
That devotion has got me to thinking about the various ways that God has spoken throughout the Bible: Moses and the burning bush, Balaam and the donkey, Elijah and the wispering voice. John on the Isle of Patmos heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet. The point is this, that God is not limited to our personal spiritual experience. He is able to Divinely speak through many varied avenues. So often we look at God through the limited lenses of our own spiritual journey or spiritual experience. Could we be limiting God by doing so? Isn't it possible for God to do something totally radical, outside of what we might consider the "norm"? The birth of Jesus to a virgin certainly shook up the religious and secular world 2000 years ago (not to mention the lives of Joseph and Mary). How does He want to shake us today in order to again hear Him?
No comments:
Post a Comment