It is a simple yet profound statement voiced by a dear friend, Lilly, the wife of Greg Pedroza, whom I wrote about last week.
It brings me comfort to think of how God works in the ordinary events of our lives. When we live in faith, we know that God is both preparing and orchestrating the events in our lives for our own good and His glory. Often times, I think we might not see the truth until, in hindsight, we take time to reflect on how things worked out.
God sent John the Baptist to help prepare the way for Jesus’ life.
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. –Mark 1:1-4 (NIV)
I find it fascinating that God prepared Jesus’ path by having John the Baptist, His cousin, proclaim to the people that the Messiah would be coming. John’s life mission was to tell the good news of repentance for their sins and help make their lives right with the coming of Jesus. They were to live in a righteous manner as they awaited the Savior of the world.
Photo courtesy of Lex McKee under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)
God provides us with perfect orchestrations to prepare the way for Him in our lives.
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. –1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV)
What a beautiful promise to hold on to. God is continually preparing things for those who love Him. The Spirit knows our true selves, both the seen and unseen. As we grow closer to God, He reveals more things to us through His Spirit.
Lilly shared how about 45 years ago Greg and she were involved with a ministry called Marriage Encounter, whose aim is to help couples grow closer and deepen their love for each other. Though their children were young, they would travel wherever they were needed. They had a beautiful church community that would take turns caring for their children so they could attend the weekends. New York City was one of the places they traveled to as they gave their talks. A few years later, when Greg started experiencing the beginning of his health issues, they were referred to a hospital in NYC, where he had his surgery. Lilly sees how God prepared them with a place to stay with the couples they met while working with Marriage Encounter. They welcomed them with open arms into their homes as a place to stay, and they helped in different ways.
God prepared the orchestration of four books to date~
I see in my own life how God prepared the orchestration of publishing four books to date through more than five years of writing weekly on my website. Truthfully, it didn’t seem like God was doing anything other than allowing me to share with just a few people each week. I had probably about 40 subscribers at that time. But God was still working, lining up the orchestrations in my life and in many others. His perfect timing led to more personal growth in me and put the right people in my path to start the first book, something I never planned. The book ministry has led to sharing with more people, and I received the gift of meeting beautiful spirit-filled people to help me grow in my faith.
Be encouraged this week to…
…thank God for someone He used to help prepare you for something greater.
…reflect on how God is preparing you for something new.
…be grateful for the orchestration you see He provided.
REFLECTION:
What was an event you saw God prepare for you?
How did God use you to prepare and provide for someone?
Can you please help end this reflection by sharing a case where you saw God preparing you for something? Thanks in advance for sharing in the comment section below.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. –Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
