Jesusluvsall's Blog

How do we respond to God guiding us in life? Do we doubt him and his ability to come through only looking at our circumstances or do we respond with faith even though we are unsure how it will happen?

2 times the Angel Gabriel appeared to announce miracle births, one time to Zechariah to announce the John the Baptist would be born even though he and his wife were old and had never had children, and one time to Mary to announce she had been chosen to have the baby Jesus even though she was a virgin. Both Zechariah and Mary had questions. The difference was in their attitude and faith behind the questions.

Zechariah answered, “How can I be sure of this?” expressing doubt in what he was being told by a messenger obviously sent from God. Zechariah had ignored the lesson from Abraham and Sarah when they had Isaac when Abraham was over 100 and Sarah was over 90. Zechariah was a priest so more was expected from him. As a result, Zechariah could not speak until John was born for doubting God’s revelation.

When the angel Gabriel told Mary she had been chosen to have the Son of God, Jesus, she asked a question that makes a lot of sense to me considering her life situation at the time. Mary was a virgin at the time, so she asked “how will this be since I am a virgin?” She was seeking clarification and once Gabriel explained it for her, she said, “I am the Lord servant. May your word be fulfilled.”

When I think about Mary’s question, I realize how many times I have had the same question when God shows me He wants me to do something.

When I think about Zechariah’s response, sadly I must confess at times I have also had doubts.

When God showed me that he wanted me to teach English while I was on a trip in Bucharest Romania in October 1999, I had limited experience at that point having only taught in a few English camps in Romania in 1997 and 1998. It was a complete change of direction for me in my life. I wondered how it would work out. I asked him to show me the way. I asked for clarification of the call. I took the first steps to begin teaching English in Lincoln and each step along the way He has guided me. I have been teaching English for seventeen years in my home city and since that trip to Bucharest have also taught in English camps in Romania and France and also in a university in Brazil.

We all have questions when God guides us. It is normal to have questions. The difference is in our attitude behind the questions. If we do not understand and want clarification from a humble heart like Mary, that is okay. If we doubt and question the message even when it is obvious it is from God, there can be consequences.

The question is do we want to follow Mary’s example of faith while asking for clarification or Zechariah’s example of doubt even in the face of something obviously from God.

Thank you for reading. God Bless