~~EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED ~~

~~"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
---(Matthew 2:1-2 / NIV)

If you’ve heard the story of Jesus’ birth, you know that wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, looking for the young Messiah.
Most Christmas pageants have them arriving at the manger to worship the newborn Jesus, but in reality it was a long journey and would have taken a couple of years. This particular invitation from God was disruptive and costly both in time and treasure. Think of all they left behind and left undone, and all in search of a star they had seen. I wonder how many people they invited to come along. I wonder how many people said, “It’s not a good time for me to leave things here in someone else’s hands. Besides, you’re doing what? Following a star?” Do you have room in your imagination that an invitation from God could be unplanned, unexpected, disruptive, yet exactly what you should do?

THINK ABOUT IT
Many of the miracles Jesus performed began as seeming “interruptions.” His eyes, however, were always open to His Father’s invitations. How can you be more prepared to cooperate with unexpected God-interruptions?

PRAYER
~~'Heavenly Father, I am on Your itinerary, not my own. Help me maintain a lifestyle that continually includes space for Your life-changing invitations and opportunities. I pray for an attitude of flexibility as I respond to the unexpected. Help me, Lord, to keep my eye on the Cross of Calvary. In Jesus’ name, amen.'
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson--"I See The Cross" (lyrics) / Brian Doerksen<https://youtu.be/K41UdUGlgpY>