Haste

“So, they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.” (Luke 2:16)

         Emily Dickinson once wrote, “Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.”  You might say it is the poet’s way of saying, “do not let an opportunity pass you by.”  Life presents us with different opportunities over the course of our living.  Opportunities we may take, or we may refuse.  It is always our choice.

         The shepherds on the Bethlehem hillside made a choice to go and seek out the baby the angels had told them about.  They could have received the good news of the Messiah’s birth and remained where they were.  They could have passed on the opportunity to experience this holy birth.  Instead, with “haste,” they went out and found the baby lying in a manger just as the angel had said.  They would not let this opportunity pass them by.

         In discerning God’s will, we must take advantage of the opportunities that God brings into our lives.  When God opens a door for us, it takes faith to walk through it. It requires faith because, at that moment, we might not see the benefit of walking through the door.  We might be afraid of what is on the other side.  God doesn’t always reveal everything to us at one time.  We will still have doubts, questions, and uncertainties as we follow God’s will for our lives.  Yet, we must take the opportunity that is there and trust that in doing so, God will bring us to where we need to be.

         The shepherds took advantage of their opportunity and were one of the first ones to encounter the infant Jesus.  They now shared in the blessing of being part of God’s miraculous work in the world.  We, too, can share in God’s miracles when we step out in faith, take the doors that are open to us, and seize the moment.  Moments that can be transformative and life changing.  Miracles happen every day, and we can experience them when we step out in faith at each opportunity.

Prayer:  Help me, Lord to say yes to the opportunities you present to me and step out in faith in response.