“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2 NAS95)
As Christmas approaches, it evokes curiosity in me. Do I expect God? Do I expect God to fulfill His promises as the men who sought the King of the Jews? Do I step into truth the Bible tells me about God and His desires?
The wise men arrived in Jerusalem after an already long journey. They didn’t give their journey a second thought nor did they give their expectation of a prophesied King’s birth a second thought. They acted; they lived an expectant lifestyle. God took such note of it that they found their way into the Bible and the Christmas story!
I’ve not always expected God. I wish I could tell you when that changed. God has met me on so many occasions that I cannot count them. They started early in my walk with Him, and they continue to today. I talked with God about many of these things, and I stepped into my part of them. I prayed to attend seminary. I prayed to have my life direction set by age 30. I prayed for support to serve overseas. I prayed for ministry to develop. I prayed to marry. I prayed for our kids (to have them and raise them). I’ve prayed for everything I’ve ventured into in His Kingdom service. God heard all this and more.
I heard a call from Him who was born King of the Jews. I had no idea what that would mean. Stepping into a trust relationship with Jesus thrust me into a life of living expectantly. Living and expecting God — not to accomplish my will — but to guide me into His.
I wanted all the things I mentioned to God, but in those things, God initiated and created a conversation so I could see His work. My prayers opened my sight to follow One I could not see, but Who never leaves me. The initiative was all His, but the prayers, well they appeared to be mine. Those conversations taught me to expect God, to trust His presence with me, to seek Him who is born King of the Jews.
The wise men of the Christmas story remind me that God loves and His faithfulness is unquestionable. He initiates, includes, and His responses to those conversations make me expect Him alongside all the time. So, I guess I do expect God. He has come and He is with me. Christmas celebrates just that. Jesus!
For Reflection:
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 NAS95)
- What spiritual practices do you use to maintain your attentiveness to God in your day?
- How are you living into expecting God’s interaction and leading today?
