PEACE

"Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.  He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John."  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God."  Luke 1:62-64

Every year I relate a little differently to the nativity story.  Isn't that one of the wonders of God's gift to us, that it unfolds in a new way every time we visit it?  Some years it's Mary (years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2012 in fact).  Some years it's the donkey (the ass, if you will).  This year it's Zechariah. 

Zechariah has been silenced since Gabriel brought him the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy because he doubted the angel.  Let's be honest for a moment, though.  A man silenced throughout his wife's pregnancy?  That really has more to do with mercy than punishment, I think.  But I digress.  Zechariah has been silent, as in no words, and then John is born and named.  It isn't until Zechariah acknowledges the baby's name that he is given back his voice and then he can do nothing but praise God. 

How many times have I fallen into Zechariah's trap?  Doubt, doubt, doubt until I am forced to do nothing but keep my mouth shut and see how it's all going to turn out.  And when it does--for with God it always does--that, my friends, is PEACE.  To turn all of your turmoil and inner struggle over to the Father and rest in His deliverance, when everything around you seems out of control, but to have faith that God is not.  Peace. 

Luke goes on to describe Zechariah's prophesy for his son.  "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in the darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." 

May God guide your footsteps today, friends. May you rest in His peace.

XOXO....Kelly