Rejoicing in God Today

Today I'm rejoicing in a God who saw fit to humble Himself to come in the form of a baby, in a most humble birth--rejected by potential family members who could have offered Mary and Joseph hospitality, rejected by the secular leaders who were saving their best spaces for the "important" people, rejected by humble people because they had no time, energy, or money, and relegated to being born in a barn among the stinky animals. I also rejoice we have a God who was first announced to the most humble of people--shepherds rather than to kings, wise men, or even the middle class inn keepers. I rejoice that those same shepherds, humble though they may be felt like they could come to praise Him.

I"m grateful that we have a God who consented to live like I live--simply, suffering the normal things that men suffer, being tempted with sin, and in short doing all I as a human do (except sin) . And, yet, never once lost or forgot who He was.

I'm grateful that that same God is the God of the universe--He who spoke and the world came into existence. He who has all power, and upholds the world by the Word of His mouth. That same God created a wide variety of things for me to enjoy (and a few I don't enjoy too). He created a million varieties of flowers, from ones so small I can't hardly see them, to the sunflower as big as a plate (and maybe there's bigger ones but I haven't seen those yet). He created them in every color of the rainbow. He created foods that awe my tastebuds. From spicy hot, to sweet sweet, and every other flavor in between. He created animals, and insects that awe me in their complexity. He created rocks and mountains, waterfalls, and seashores. He created sunsets that flame in red, orange, blue and purple, sunrises that the whole world stands quiet to watch.

This same God knew me before I was born--He planned me and gave me certain abilities, and certain disabilities so I'd learn to trust Him more. He planned every part of me from the hair on my head, to the way my feet wrinkle. He knew how I'd turn out, because He planned me, and He planned for me to be special and unique among His creation, just as He planned each of you to be special and unique.

This is the God I've come to know, a God who has control of EVERYTHING that goes on--from the bad stuff, to the good stuff. From earthquakes, to the birth of a baby--none of it goes on without Him allowing it. And, this very God is He who consented to come and live among us, to be one of us--born in the most humble manner possible, living a remarkable normal life, and dying a death among thieves.

What an amazing God!

And, what's even more amazing, is that this same God chose me--I don't have any idea why, I certainly didn't and don't deserve it. But, this God chose me and adopted me, and gives me every right and priviledge that He gives His own son. He chooses to forgive my sin. He chooses to grant me the right to be in His presence. He chooses to send His ever present Spirit to live in me, to lead and guide me, to indeed be my life. And, all I can say is praise be to God! He alone is worthy! And, this same God has planted me among the body of believers to learn from each of them, and to love them, and to learn certain lessons--how I thank God for each of you my brothers and sisters.

And, all of this God did because He loved me. Is that amazing or what?