Embrace the Mystery . . . and Marvel
(Luke 2:21-52)
I picture God . . .
Holy face etched in tenderness.
Holy hand pushing a silvery feathered quill across the snow white pages of a leather-bound tome entitled, The Days of Their Lives.
Fashioning the ins and outs of our days before He calls them into existence.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
(Psalm 139:16 ESV)
The imagery of a Creator so in love with His creation that He wants to get it all down on paper captivates me.
I picture Him, as the night sky meets morning, turning to the next page in His book.
Tenderly smiling at the i’s dotted with X’s and O’s and hearts on the page He calls Today.

As the night sky outside my own window lightens, I open to the second half of Luke’s second chapter.
To the day God turns to this page of Mary’s life.
When the time came for Mary’s purification offering at the Temple . . . his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
(Luke 2:22 TLB)
Mary’s had some real surprises so far on some of her life’s pages, but she walks into this day knowing exactly what to expect.
A familiar Temple ritual.
Oh, Mary . . .
She has no idea that on this day someone else’s page is going to intersect hers.
Someone with his own set of expectations.
. . . a man by the name of Simeon, living in expectation of the “salvation of Israel.”
(Luke 2:25 PHILLIPS)
On this day the Holy Spirit directs Simeon to this place at this moment.

Mary and Joseph arrive.
Simeon arrives.
Until there they stand, the three of them breathing the same air, at the intersection.
At the moment chronicled on both of their pages.
Does Simeon expect a baby to be the promised salvation of Israel?
Probably not, but once he cradles baby Jesus in his arms he knows.
He just knows.
And, as if this intersection isn’t enough, someone else’s page intersects here.
Enter Anna.

At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up . . .
(Luke 2:36 MSG)
Intersection multiplication.
Punctuated by holy marveling.
Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna . . . voices mingled together in praise to the God who calls the unimaginable into existence and orchestrates the moving pieces.
I’m no Mary or Simeon or Anna, but sometimes I feel the same.
Sometimes who or what turns up on a day’s page blows me away.
Maybe today will be quite ordinary.
Maybe not.
Perhaps there will be a holy intersection.
Perhaps not.
But either way, it is the day God wrote for me on the page He calls Today.

Life is not random.
But it sure can be mysterious.
I determine to walk into today in expectation . . . even though I have no idea what I’m expecting.
Perhaps that’s the magic of mystery.
Attempts to forecast, fine tune, or fence in what’s written on today’s page dulls the shine.
As David often spoke to his soul, I speak to mine.
Let it go, my soul.
Let it go.
Embrace the mystery.
And marvel.
See you in a couple weeks.
Love,

My first plan for today has been thwarted by rain. I’m sure God’s plan will prove to be better than my plan.
Seriously! First the snow, now the rain. I saw a man across the parking lot at the gym this morning. He shouted to me, “Spring is right around the corner!” It feels like a real long corner!
Every day, my word is Trust. Trust the plan today that God has written for my. I trust
Excellent word for us all! Thank you, Eileen.
And now, after reading, I am anticipating this day’s path with a more positive outlook. Thank you Cindy.
Oh, Vicki, I think of you and wonder how you’re getting along. So good to hear from you!
He usually surprises me! Visited with my friend Gloria this morning and had wonderful conversation! And looking for more surprises, grace and peace along the way this day!
I’m always surprised by who intersects my day. Sometimes I get up with an agenda and then, boom, someone calls or comes by or I run into them out somewhere and the day takes on a whole new feel or an entirely new direction.
Anticipating God’s plan for our son Scott as he seeks new work fills me with love for him. Thank you for reminding me of God’s plan is sometimes mysterious.
So, so mysterious . . . but always for our good. Even when it doesn’t feel that way.
My word is anticipation……sometimes I feel like every day is about the same and I’m sure it’s Gods plan. I’m anticipating the wonderful goodness of God! Love you Cindy
Anticipation . . . another really great word! I know what you mean about every day feeling like it’s about the same as every other day. Such is often the life of a caregiver. Maybe not much excitement, but definitely a job of great importance, honor, and love.
AHHHHHH, the mystery of intersections, mysterious at that! And God’s purposes for them is yet a story to be told…and we get to participate? WHAAA??? now that is grace. and we hang on with anticipation.
Such a mystery . . . every single day. In a good way!