“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2:1, KJV)
God knows what he is doing. He does not make mistakes. His timing is impeccable. We may think we know better, but in the end, God always shows himself to be right.
God sent Jesus at the perfect time in history. Many patriarchs of the Old Testament longed for his coming. They might have wished he would have come sooner. But God sent Jesus when he sent Jesus. Jesus was born at just the right time.
One of my favorite books on the history of Christmas is called In the Fullness of Time by Dr. Paul Maier. The title of that book comes from Galatians 4:4:
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5, ESV)
The fullness of time implies that history had come to a culmination. There was a unique combination of factors that perfectly came together. The Roman census is just one example.
The prophet Micah had prophesied:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2, ESV)
Because of the Roman census, Mary and Joseph would make the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem where Jesus would be born. How inconvenient it must have been for Mary and Joseph to make this journey while Mary was pregnant. But without the census, this prophecy would not have been fulfilled. God knew what he was doing.
You need to know that your life is lived in the fullness of time. God created you to live today. He could have created you to live 4000 years ago. He could have created you to live 100 years ago. He could have created you to live somewhere in the future. But the truth is that he created you for right now. There is a reason he put here.
Sometimes we try to live in the past. We long for a past that is no longer. Sometimes we long for a past that never was. The good ole days always seem better in our memory than they were. Nostalgia is a powerful force. But if we are not careful it will rob us of our present.
Then there is trying to live in the future. There are many kids who can’t wait for Christmas to arrive. As I think back to Christmastime as a child, and I remember the anticipation leading up to Christmas more so than playing with the toys I received on Christmas Day. The point is to make the most out of today. Appreciate what you have in front of you right now. Don’t live in such anticipation of a future day that you miss out on the blessings of today.
Today is Monday, and I love Mondays! Yes, you heard me right. I love Mondays. Maybe I am weird. But I love Mondays because Monday is the day God has given me. There is no better day than this day because today is today. Whatever day of the week you are reading this – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday – that day exists in the fullness of time. It is the day that has come to pass. It is the day you are called to live.
Know that God is on the move. I stopped using the word coincidence a long time ago. I don’t believe in coincidences. What I believe in are God-incidents. What you might see as an inconvenient circumstance is an incredible opportunity God is putting before you. Right now is the perfect time. There is no better moment because this is the moment that God is giving you. This moment is the fullness of time. Everything has come together to make this moment possible.
“For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, NOW is the favorable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV)
Life is an ADVENT(ure). He gave Mary and Joseph a great ADVENT(ure) that first Christmas. And if you are open to the possibility, God is giving you a great ADVENT(ure) at this moment. Pastor Greg Finke shared a great example of an ADVENT(ure) he experienced on his blog at Dwelling114. What’s God doing right now in your life at this moment? Look around and then join God on his mission.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it look like to live for today?
- How are you living in the past? In the future? Where do you need to come back to the present?
- How does trust in God help you live for today and join his ADVENT(ure)?
- Share your comments.
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