"But the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people." (Luke 2:10 NLT)
A change in plans is good news when God does the rearranging. The nativity story is full of rearrangement and at every critical juncture, God reassured the chosen couple, “Don’t be afraid, the Lord is with you.”
Now we don’t typically get angelic visitation or divine dreams, but we do have a Bible packed full of promises. Over and over again, our God insists: don’t be afraid, I am with you. In fact, just this morning, my bible app announced the verse of 2022 – the most bookmarked, saved and highlighted.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you' I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10-11 NLT)
We recall that Isaiah was written amidst national crisis. Assyria was breathing down the nations’s neck and exile was impending. Yet as all the awful was unfolding, God sent His prophet to proclaim this promise: don’t fear, I am with you.
When plans change, when heartache interrupts, when we are asked to difficult things, God also insists upon going with us. Joseph and Mary didn’t step out into their Christmas story alone. They weren’t abandoned on the journey to Bethlehem or Egypt. When God repositions, He also accompanies.
The same is true for us: when we go God’s way, we always go with God. We aren’t wandering around blindly amidst this wilderness. We are being led intentionally and intimately. We can even stretch out our hands in excitement, not to Pollyanna paintbrush over our unfortunate circumstances, but in earnest anticipation of His close proximity and His superior planning. It is a joy to go with God and we don’t want to take it lightly.
Lord, one again, we loosen our grip on this wild ride we call life. We realize anew, we are not in control. Any perception of control is merely illusion. When plans change, help us trust Your interruption and note Your nearness. We are not lost in the wilderness, but following the cloud all the way Home. Keep us close, keep us joyful and may we refuse to walk in fear. Amen.