December 1, 2023: The Design in Time
- Liana V.
- Dec 1, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 12, 2023
The Design in Time
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”
Luke 1:26-27 NKJV
One sentence. That’s it. This one sentence shows us the detail and the intricate plan of God’s heart. The word coincidence and chance have no place in God’s divine detail. He is careful and meticulous about orchestrating the elements to bring forth and fulfill His design.
This was not just any plan, this was the plan of redemption set into motion from the beginning of time (remember God’s promise in Genesis?).
“God told the serpent: “Because you’ve done this, you’re cursed, cursed beyond all cattle and wild animals, Cursed to slink on your belly and eat dirt all your life. I’m declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He’ll wound your head, you’ll wound his heel.””
Genesis 3:14-15 MSG
This was the moment when all was readied and prepared: the time, the place, and the who.
You and I were on God’s mind. The sum of the earth’s population from the beginning of time to the end was God’s mission. He was preparing for a wedding, a feast and celebration filled with those whom He loves. This was the perfect moment to add Holy Spirit action to His blueprint.
Whatever season of preparation you find yourself in this Christmas, know that God does not slack on the details. He takes His time coordinating the right time, place, and who for you! He desires that you would become the who He created you to be. Our character gets polished and softened with time, circumstance, and environment-like sea glass.
Let’s refuse to allow circumstance, time, or environment steal your joy this season. Instead we’re choosing to be washed in the water of God’s perfect plan for us, bathed in his love, and celebrating the wonder of His beautiful Son born for our salvation: Jesus Christ.
The wait, the in between now and your promise is the process. The process is so underrated. The process is God's handiwork. It's God perfecting us. What can you be thankful for during your preparation?
Prayer: Father, thank you for the reminder of your perfect plan and timing. Thank you for the reminder that the details of my life matter to you and that You care about me. Thank you for using everything to smooth my character into perfection. Let your joy within me be full. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Ice skating is one of those past times that I'd love to make a Christmas tradition. The Pastor of the church I grew up in, took his entire family to a beautiful ice skating rink downtown every Christmas. It was their tradition. It always shouted family, intention, and togetherness to me. Are you wondering where all the ice skating photos are? I still haven't taken anyone. Perhaps this is the year! It's on the very short dwindled down list of things I want to do this season.
Don't know where to skate? Give your search engine a try and search for free ice skating in your respective area. Free is key! Tons of places offer free skating and occasionally free skate rental too. Here are a few links to help you locate a place in the Milwaukee area:
All of the cute decor was found at Wood Orchard Market in Egg Harbor, WI.
I am in a season of change. I feel like the ground is shifting under my feet and I'm not sure where I will land. I am so thankful that God is the one shaking things up in my life. I have gotten complacent and comfortable and not in a good way. I liked the line "Our character gets polished and softened with time, circumstance, and environment-like sea glass"
I don't feel "beaten up" I do feel like I am being polished, and I am the most open to it than I have been in a while. I know I am in a safe place and I have amazing people around me guiding me and cheering me on. I'm not…
I needed this today. Gods details and refining are in the waiting He is not absent but always working.
The process is God’s handiwork….. wow! What a perspective switch that one that offers! Our time on earth IS the process. Getting to a certain goal, level of success, etc is not the destination. It’s all part of the refining process. Heaven is the destination.
It’s never too late to stop striving, stop trying to please people, stop fighting the world and live in God’s love. ❤️
The process is so underrated. I love that thought! I am 52 and in this past year God has done more work in me than in the past 51 years!
The process of the right place, right people, right heart posture and finally surrendering all to Him. He has taught me this year I am not alone, I have value, I have a voice, I have people I need to help and I have to let the people he placed in my life help me.
I am so thankful for all his work in me that has brought me to this place. It has taken longer than I planned but I trust Gods timing is perfect! The waiting has brought…