I am not the world’s most organised person. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But, thanks be to God, I am far more organised now than I used to be. Did you realize that God is the Perfect Organiser? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat and see whether you agree.
Luke 2:21 AMP
[21] At the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb.
Given Before Conception
We often think of God’s creative power which has been passed on to us humans. But have we stopped to consider the many details God would have arranged to be aligned with God’s plans? Especially when wilful humans are added to the mix. Yet God already had a name in place prior to Mary agreeing to God’s plan.
Let’s think of human communication systems as an example. Our core system – rather, the organs that come to mind – includes our ears and mouth. But, it engages the brain and the eyes (especially since many of us lip read without realizing) as we have to interpret what we hear, then process that information before responding. (And yes, silence is a response). Although we don’t consciously think about it, much of what we process is interpreted as images, and that’s another reason our eyes get involved.
There’s more to the biology/anatomy of the communication process, I’m sure; but this example helps us to think more intentionally about the fact that the birth of humans is fairly complex. Because communication is only one aspect of the equation that God formulates for each life. And each life is different. It may be subtle, but not even conjoined twins are exactly the same.
When we think of the number of humans who’ve ever lived on earth, and that many carry similar names or features, the equation gets even more complicated. With all the databases in the world, humanity has not registered every person who’s ever lived. Not even with the best census or tracking system. This is unlikely to ever occur as information doesn’t readily exist for pre-literate societies and civilisations long lost to us.
Yet God knows every single person. All 8,000,000,000 of us living today and each and every one who’s lived prior. Moreover, God knows the name and destiny God has planned for each of us. Thus, we realize names are not accidental – they are point to God’s attention to details.
Self-Check
Do we ever thank God for God’s attention to the minute details of our lives and purpose?
Application
The name wasn’t included in David’s lineage, and – like the name John – was selected by God, rather than the parents. But Y’shua of Naxareth was different. He was The One, the Saviour of the world. Long before signs were present to provide details on the baby’s gender, God already knew. In fact, God had already established the plan and shared with both Mary and Joseph before Y’shua’s birth.
In becoming human, God opted to involve several participants – many who were not physically around at Jesus birth, but who communicated aspects of the phenomenon. The prophets received what was told to them and shared what they heard of saw. Yet, the name, God’s salvation was not given explicitly to any of them. That was reserved for the time of His birth. It was a personal name, shared before Mary conceived.
Siblings, the same God Who paid such attention to detail for Christ’s birth is the same God Who has placed us in this world. It’s true, our birth might not include as many actors in the process (most of us aren’t the fulfilment of ancient prophecies) as with Y’shua; but God knew about our existence before we were conceived.
Regardless of what others say or think, not one of us is accidental. God has a plan for our lives. Some of us are the good that resulted from bad situations as per Romans 8:28. All of us are precious to God. Our names, our purpose were designed by God, the Perfect organiser, before we were born. Will we trust God with our all?
Point to Ponder
Are there aspects of our lives that challenge us or are dis-eased? Let’s invite God to restore us and help us learn to appreciate the infirmity. Are there parts of our lives/bodies that bring us joy? We can give God praise for that.
Whenever we feel unappreciated, hurt, or down – remember that God knew us before we were born and actually fashioned us on purpose for purpose. That should boost our spirits a bit.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
