But . . .

Question to think about: How are you managing the pressures and problems of daily life?

Are you looking forward to your day or do you have a sense of dread?
Would you like to avoid something in your day?
Is there someone or something that has created chaos in your life?

The thing is . . . part of living on earth is managing pressures and problems. When you get down to the experience of life . . . it is not as much about the specifics of the challenges but how we manage life.

The opening story in the book of Luke is fascinating. The author, Luke, wrote the story of how Christ, God with us, came. Luke opens with the story about the problem that a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth faced.
In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. (Luke 1:5-7, NAB)

Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were named as a part of a lineage of the priesthood, a privileged position. Their marriage provided a way for the lineage to continue. If you notice . . . there is a "but" (verse 7) which indicates a problem. The word, "but," in the scriptures indicates an exception or a problem. In this case, the "but," is really big . . . they were old and had no children . . . their priesthood lineage would end. If you study the history of the ancient days, you will find that each generation bore the responsibility for the next generation . . . BUT . . . continuing the lineage of the priesthood was thought to be vital for the people of God.

Their problem would become the way the world would be prepared for Christ, God with us, to come.

What is your story today?
Take a moment to look at any problem(s) you face: Life would be good BUT . . .
Gain new perspective: Can you trust God to use your problem to prepare the way?

Learning with you to see beyond the problem.
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)