The wilderness is changing us, widening our field of vision a little more each day.
However our Lenten devotion is going right now, we may find ourselves in different stages of grief after giving up things we have been attached to for so long. If we have added something to our lives, the same is happening, as we no longer have the extra time we used to have and are now filling it with something that brings us closer to God.
Today we look at Mary and Joseph in Luke chapter 1 and how they both surrendered to God after speaking with the angel Gabriel about their unexpected pregnancy. And this is not “unexpected” like how we refer to it today. In order to have and raise the Son of God, they had to surrender themselves—their ego and reputation, their plans—for God's plans. Your life totally changes when you help bring a child into this world. The life you once knew goes away, and it isn't easy, but over time you realize that the pruning you go through, adding much more responsibility to your life, is extremely worth it and rewarding.
Can we humble ourselves today to accept God's will and plans for our lives? Can we trust Him to take away what we wanted so that He can offer us something far better and more fulfilling? Surrender yourself today in the desert. Remember what you came from, who God says you are now, and know that He loves us more than we could ever dream of loving our own children. He loves you so much that He chose to give you life; He died for you so that you could live and spend eternity with Him in heaven! Will you give up the world and follow Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit?
