Tolkien, in his epic story about Bilbo, talks about the challenge
of sticking to the path no matter what. It is that "no matter
what" that we get really nervous about.
He explains that along this path, we sometimes have to encounter the
unpredictable and endure the predictable.
In either case, we need much grace to endure.
In either case, we are tempted sometimes to quit.
In either case, we never know completely what God is up to or
what will happen just around the bend.
In Luke 1: 8-10, we are introduced to Zechariah, the priest,
future father of John the Baptist. The Bible says, Once when Zechariah's
division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by
lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of The
Lord and burn incense. And when the time
for the burning of the incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying
outside. THEN.... an angel of The
Lord....
There are several hints in this passage that Zechariah was simply
sticking to the path, probably not expecting too much to happen.
His division was on duty.
He was simply serving.
He was chosen by lot.
It was customary to do this.
When the time came....
Predictable!
Zechariah had come to work, and was going to do his duty and go
home as usual. But he did not know what
God was about to do.
We never know what God will do today or tomorrow. There is never a good time to quit!
We never know what all God is up to.
We never know what all God is saying or about to say.
We never know where we are in God's story.
We never know how significant our next step of obedience may be
for the glory of God.
God, give me grace to endure the predictable, knowing that I
serve an unpredictable God.
-Jess