What Is God Doing in My Life?
Are you facing a confusing situation and asking, “What is God doing in my life?”
If so, you are not alone. We all face times when we struggle to make sense of God’s work in our lives. I warmly invite you to join our family on a chilly Christmas morning, and we’ll talk about how to navigate those times in life when God’s ways don’t make sense to us.
What Is God Doing in My Life?
It is Christmas morning here in Pennsylvania. This is the morning God bends down to meet us. This is the day we celebrate a groaning mother’s messy morning in a manger, the birth of a Messiah who comes quietly and unexpectedly.
The world didn’t expect the Messiah to arrive in this way, wrapped in the flesh of a wailing newborn.
Perhaps there’s a greater lesson for us all today: God often fails to meet our expectations.
What do we do when this happens, when God doesn’t meet our expectations?
Christmas stirs hope in the reminder that Jesus has come and that he will one day return and make all things new. It stirs hopes for happy children and delicious meals gathered around tables with loved ones.
As we sit with our Christmas hopes, let’s have an honest moment. Let’s pause and admit that sometimes, Christmas doesn’t meet our expectations.
On a greater scale, sometimes God doesn’t meet our expectations. Holidays can be a startling reminder that life didn’t turn out according to our plans.
How do you step into a new season, embrace a painful holiday, and trust God when he doesn’t show up in all the ways you expected? #trustingGod #faithinGod #unmetexpectations Click To Tweet
What Is God Doing in My Life When His Ways Don’t Make Sense?
Scripture offers practical insight from none other than Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus.
The angel Gabriel has just appeared to inform Mary that she will soon give birth to the Son of God. Mary is concerned about how this will happen, especially since she is still a virgin. Gabriel assures Mary that it will be the work of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s pause and reflect on this familiar story.
Let’s not allow familiarity to lead us to gloss over the details.
God has just thrown Mary the curve ball of all curve balls. Not only is she an unwed virgin who now has a story no one will believe, but she has also been told that she is about to give birth to the promised Messiah, the long-awaited Son of God.
Perhaps God has thrown you a curve ball or two throughout this past year, too. It might have come in the form of a diagnosis, the loss of someone you deeply loved, the downfall of a dream, or a disappointment so grave that your life is forever shaken. You might feel like God let you down.
What are we to do when God doesn’t make sense?
Mary’s response to the angel offers Biblical wisdom for our most troubled, fearful, overwhelming, and disappointing moments. Mary says to Gabriel, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 NASB).
In the words of this simple phrase, Mary exhibits three attitudes that offer to carry us through the moments when God doesn’t make sense:
1. Express commitment to God, even when you don’t understand what he is doing.
The Greek word for “bondslave” can also be translated “handmaid” or “female slave.”
In the original language, the word denotes a woman who has wholly given herself to the service of the one she serves. By calling herself God’s bondslave, Mary emphasizes her whole-hearted commitment to serve and follow God, even when the details do not make sense.
Most likely, the details surrounding your unexpected circumstances don’t make sense.
You haven’t caught a glimpse of the fully pieced-together puzzle.
Tell God that you trust him, even with what you cannot see. If you don’t trust him just yet, ask him to help you grow in trust.
Next, commit to keep following him, even when the path before you is not yet illuminated. He promises to provide just enough light for you to keep putting one foot in front of another (see Psalm 119:105).
2. Surrender to God’s plan.
Mary could have listed dozens of reasons why an unexpected pregnancy was a bad idea. She could have pled for God to make a different way.
Have you ever paused to consider why Jesus would come into the world in a way that seemed just a little scandalous?
Mary was expecting a baby, and she and Joseph both knew that Joseph was not the father. Mary’s response to the high calling to carry the Son of God is compelling: She surrendered to God’s will before she knew how his plan would unfold. She surrendered before she knew whether or not Joseph would stay with her or choose to divorce her quietly.
Is there an area of your life in which you sense God calling you to submit to a plan that doesn’t make sense in your mind? Pause to consider what it would look like to surrender to this plan today.
3. When God doesn’t make sense, tie yourself to him.
The Greek word for bondservant signifies a master and slave who are literally tied together. The bondservant is devoted to her master with no regard for our own interests. Mary set her interests aside for the will of the Lord.
It’s not easy to lay down our interests when they were born from pure motives and godly desires. However, even pure motives cannot replace the sovereign will of a God who works in ways we cannot fully comprehend.
If you are struggling to embrace some part of your life today, will you tie yourself to the Lord as his bondslave?
Will you express your desire to follow him, even into places you don’t understand?
The power of God to work through a life that is fully surrendered to him is greater than we could ever imagine.
May you follow in the footsteps of Jesus’ mother Mary as you walk with God through the unexpected parts of your current season.
A Free Devotional to Help You Draw Near to God:
I have a gift for you today. Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring balance and peace. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE right here.
These Two Books are Free on Kindle Unlimited as eBooks and Also Available in Print:
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book in eBook form for free on the Kindle Unlimited Plan or for 12.99 in print right here. (You can sign up for a free three-month Kindle Unlimited trial if you are not a member.) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
Calling all moms and daughters!
Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section. Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book! You can buy your paperback or get your free Kindle Unlimited eBook on Amazon right here.
