I recently read a chapter a day of a book that I’ve read previously. I didn’t want to miss any details, so I read each word carefully. It didn’t take long for me to notice something that I missed before… there were so many minor characters in the story that are so easily overlooked. I realized that each of these characters played a very important part of the story, and they were specifically chosen to play that part. In the first chapter, I met two of these “specifically chosen people” who were faced with the challenge of trusting a promise that was made to them. Unlike their ancestors, they did not take matters into their own hands when the promise took longer than they wanted it to. They lived without fear and they were guided by peace. Their promise was a baby that would grow up to prepare people for an even greater promise.
The next two “specifically chosen people” were faced with the challenge of understanding. The things that were asked of them were miraculous and had never happened before. They were trusted with the greatest gift of all, one that would change EVERYTHING. They were so thankful, humbled, and honored to be chosen. Through the baby that they were chosen to bring into the world, mercy and peace would be gifted to all.
Another minor character in this book was the man who provided the place that the baby would be born.
The shepherds were “specifically chosen” to see an angel who would tell them where they could find the baby.
Next, a man was told that he would not die until he saw the baby. The baby was brought to him and he confirmed everything that the other chosen people believed. This man even told the parents of the baby that their son would be killed so that salvation could take place.
Every person who met that baby that turned into a boy and then became a man was specifically chosen for that moment.
This man died for our sins. He was crucified for our sins. It was all part of the plan from the beginning of time.
There was another man who was specifically chosen to carry the cross that Jesus was crucified on.
The day Jesus died, another man who was specifically chosen took Jesus’ body down off of the cross and laid Him in a tomb.
The guard who secured and set a seal on the stone in front of the tomb was chosen for that moment.
Today, many people are celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus who gifted us with mercy, peace, and salvation when He died.
It was all part of the plan from the beginning of time, for each person who was part of the story to be specifically chosen. Just like these people, we are all faced with the challenge of trusting or understanding the promises that were made, living without fear, and being guided by peace.
Merry Christmas!
Overcoming Obstacles 