LUKE’S CHRISTMAS GOSPEL OF JESUS: A 30-Day Christmas-Time Devotional.

My Response Time to God.

Luke 1: 39 (MsgB) 

[39] Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country,

So what’s your response to God-activity look like?

Over the years I’ve seen basically three different types of human responses to what I would call “God-stuff.”

What I mean by that is in our lives from time to time, God will send His presence, inserting His will or desires into our lives. In Kingdom theology, we call it a ‘Kingdom in-breaking.’

It’s in those times when you know that you know that God is messing with you.

Whether it be through super-natural means or by just “sensing it,” you just know in your heart and mind that God is attempting to draw out your response to His initiative.

As I said, I’ve found that people, including myself, tend to respond in three unique ways to this phenomenon.

The first, is just like Mary’s response here in verse 39. She quickly moves forward, acting in full faith in response to the God-encounter she has just experienced. Wasting no time, she jumps into the plans of God with great expectancy.

The second human response I’ve seen, is one of complete rejection. Whether it be due to stubbornness or unbelief, a person just simply refuses God’s invitation and quickly judges it as a “no go.”

Thirdly, there are those who stand cautiously at the side of the river, contemplating the offer. I’ve seen some stand in that position so long, all of life seems to pass them by as they wait for multiple ‘confirmations’ before they risk placing their toes in the water.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s always appropriate to weigh carefully the decisions one makes before jumping into the pool. But, don’t you love the way Mary immediately throws herself into the fray, moving forcefully ahead into the promises of God?

Good going, Mary. You do us all proud with your complete willingness to move forward with God, even though you certainly didn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle aligned. You decided to not waste a minute when it came to following God wherever that might lead!

Bravo, Mary, bravo!

My prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Mary’s supreme example of active faithfulness. May I be equally bold in moving forward with You and Your Kingdom plans as You give me the direction in doing so. Empower me, Holy Spirit to not hold back, waiting for 100% certainty in my mind, before I act on those instructions You’ve prompted me to act upon. May I, like Mary, waste no time in getting about Your business, for Your name’s sake. Amen.

My questions to ponder: So, how have I been dragging my feet when it comes to moving forward with Jesus and His Kingdom purposes? John Wimber used to say, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K.” Have I been avoiding risk, simply because I’m afraid of actually moving out on those promptings God has been giving me? What would ‘moving forward with God without wasting time’ look like in my life today?

So what is God speaking to you today? Are you practicing the Kingdom presence of God?

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