Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Ordinary Days
Luke 2:8-20
Behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.(Luke 2:9)
Behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.(Luke 2:9)
Writer Anita Brechbill observed in God’s Revivalist magazine that “Most often the Word of the Lord comes to a soul in the ordinary duties of life.” She cites the examples of Zachariah performing his duties as a priest, and the shepherds watching their flocks. They were at work as usual with no idea that they were about to receive a message from God.
Luke describes the ordinary days when these men received their message from God: “While [Zachariah] was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, . . . an angel of the Lord appeared to him” (1:8,11). While the shepherds were “living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night . . . an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (2:8-9).
Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest said: “Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord’s surprise visits.”
On this ordinary day, the Lord may have a word of encouragement, guidance, or instruction for us, if we’re listening and ready to obey.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, open my eyes and ears so that I would not miss out on the extraordinary things you tell me in the ordinary moments of my life.Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I wonder what I did for God today: How many times did I once pause and pray? But I must find and serve Him in these ways, For life is made of ordinary days.
I wonder what I did for God today: How many times did I once pause and pray? But I must find and serve Him in these ways, For life is made of ordinary days.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church