Shouting from the Rooftops Luke 1:1-3

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us. Just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus” (V. 1-3, NIV)

Random Thoughts:

" Many...draw up an account of things fulfilled among us..eyewitnesses.."   It just comes naturally to tell others about things that we’re excited about--things that impact us personally. Lose weight on a great new diet? “Mum”’s not even the word. Parenting tip that is changing chaos into calm? I’m shouting from the roof tops! We love to talk about those things that change our lives and people are often drawn to the enthusiasm that goes with it.

LIkewise, Luke  is preparing his reader--and us--to hear firsthand accounts of how Christ impacted their lives, changing them forever in their understanding of who God is and who they are because of Him. 

But the importance of sharing what God is doing in our lives (the way He is changing us and the moments when he astounds us) hasn't changed because His work hasn't stopped. These things are not relegated to ancient history. Christ’s work in our lives is a living history and we are invited to tell the story that is also our story.

Question: 

What recent “God moment” has impacted you? How did it make you feel? Did it reveal anything about God to you? Have you told anyone about it?

Journal Response:

Several weeks before Christmas, Illinois was thrown into a deep freeze. One afternoon, mindless of the newly iced roads, I made my way through the back routes, focused instead on the argument I was having with God. Overwhelmed with guilt for a relapse into a lifelong behavioral struggle, I wanted God to explain how this could possibly make sense; how could he forgive me yet again when I seem so incapable of winning this particular battle. What I wanted was an answer. What I needed was forgiveness. I couldn’t seem to internalize the truth I so badly wanted to believe. Approaching a downhill intersection busy with rush-hour traffic, I mechanically applied the breaks. Nothing happened. Jolted into the present, I realized my breaks had frozen. A wordless scream was followed by frantic pumping on the breaks. Still nothing. The car continued to accelerate down the hill toward traffic and I braced myself for my first car crash (--well, second if you count my first day of driving).

And then it stopped.

I couldn’t believe it. My breaks had not worked, my engine was dead. The roads were still icy and traffic was still zooming past, only inches from my bumper. I turned the key in the ignition and the engine revved. Carefully, I pulled into traffic, slowing at the next stop light and sat there, catching my breath, stunned. 

I turned on the radio as I waited for the light to change and two speakers began having a conversation that exactly mimicked my own just moments before. Only this time, God was providing an answer I couldn’t help but hear. “No one is perfect, no one ever can be and God forgives us precisely because he has known that from the beginning of time.” That is love. That is grace. That is the kind of God who hears the childlike tirades of 44-year-old women and not only loves her anyway but uses a crazy, inexplicable moment to tell her so. 

I know bad things happen to us all. God is no rabbit’s foot to ensure that we lead charmed lives. But when we tell the stories about our God Moments, they are stories that can’t be told without admitting to our needs and confessing that we have problems. It’s scary to come out of hiding--to admit we aren’t more than we’d like the world to believe--but then that’s how we know beyond any doubt that God is god, and we are not. Thank goodness. Thank God.

Suggestion:  Pass it on!

If you are a journaler or a list maker, make a date with yourself on the calendar to set a side 10 minutes to create a God Moments list of those times in your life God has done something that blew you away. It will not only encourage you in those times when you may wonder if God is still alive and well but it will be a record of God’s legacy in your life for those who come behind. Pass it on!