Daily Devotionals
2021
Thursday, December 23
Sarah Robinson
As a planner, I find it difficult to embark on any new adventure without all the significant details laid out. I must know where I’m going to park at a new destination before leaving my house. I like to know who I will be seeing at a gathering so I can think ahead to possible conversation topics. When I teach, I visualize the flow of a class, planning how to lay out my materials for smooth transitions, and I generally need to have at least plan B, if not plan C, ready to employ. Although I love to gather with people and teach kids, my over-planning tendencies can be exhausting, and though I mean for them to show how deeply I care, they can actually rob me of the joy of those things.
So, I always take notice when a Biblical figure shows joy in the face of new adventures, as Zechariah does on the birth of his son. Zechariah is full of praise and reminders of hope. One can even imagine him launching into the exuberant praise of Psalm 150 after his Spirit-filled song from Luke. My planner-heart might have said, “What exactly does it mean that my child will ‘prepare the way’ for the Lord? How will he ‘enable us to serve him without fear’? What’s the backup plan when things go wrong?” Zechariah, however, does not worry about the twists and turns at this moment. In fact, he is rejoicing in God’s faithfulness, trusting Him for the details, and reminding all that this master plan of salvation is, “to show mercy,” “to rescue,” “to shine,” and “to guide.” (Luke 1:72, 74, 79)
Zechariah is happiest as a participant in The Plan, THE “path of peace,” with no plan B or C required, only trust (v 79). I am thankful for the pressure-lifting, pride-breaking, joy-releasing truth that the trustworthy Master Planner is actually the one in control with the BEST PLAN EVER!
Sara lives in Arlington and has been attending Park Street Church for 25 years. She loves reading and participating in book clubs, especially with kids! She also enjoys doing science with kids and seeing those “Aha!” moments when they learn something.