ZPCBlog

About the author: Brian and Cynthia McCall Have been active members of ZPC for many years. They have 3 children plus a bonus child that has been in their lives for 4 years, two young grand babies that they adore, as well as two more on the way. They are very grateful for the ZPC community and all of the friendships they have made here.

As a person who owns a jewelry business, this entire season starting in November seems like one long run-on sentence. Add to that a wife who is finishing an intense internship plus a 96 year old mother who has decided to move from St Louis on December 20 did I mention that it's Christmas time in the retail business also she passed out two weeks ago and went into ICU with a variety of issues to keep them hopping at the hospital then the 2 trips to St Louis in 4 days throw in a family Thanksgiving and a Friendsgiving there are holiday parties there is dinner with the staff plus a new grand baby due December 11 and then I hear that church needs some more help with the Advent devotional my life has been a breathless dead run

And then the word...

But you, Oh Bethlehem of Ephratheth, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, who’s origin is from of old, from Ancient days. Micah 5:2 

With all of the things going on above, knowing my stress level is running an easy 10+, I felt I NEEDED to say yes to the devotional, NOW! Jerry has been challenging us all to get quiet; carve out some time to be still, to listen, and to just be with the Lord. This forced me to do it. I’m glad I did.

And. Then. The. Word…

…whose origin is from of old...

When I read the above verse, I was given the option to use something different, but as I read the passage a few times and started thinking about the phrase ”whose origin is from old, from Ancient days,” that jumble of words I wrote above seemed to start to disassemble. As I read that the one who is to rule in Israel is from one of the little clans of Judah, that ridiculous break-neck pace I CHOOSE to put myself on dissolves.  

And… Then… The… Word…

…from Ancient days.

Martin Luther once said “I have so many things to do today I dare not ignore my time with God.” When I get super busy one of the first things that gets set aside is my time with God. Luther teaches us that is the opposite of what we should do. I realize almost all of us are incredibly busy, especially this time of year. Most of the things I mention in my run on sentence are choices I’ve made to include in my days. Thankfully I also made the choice to include morning quiet time, first. It makes a difference.

I want to exhort you and encourage you to keep the Word in the forefront, it's worth it and it makes a difference.  

And…

Then…

The…

Word…

From origins of old and Ancient days.

And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Heavenly Father,
As we enter this busy season, help us to choose you first, oh Ancient of Days. Center us to be completely aware of your presence, to glorify you as we move about our busy schedules this month.
Amen.

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