14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
The birth of John the Baptist was orchestrated to become somewhat of a spectacle. How is it that this old woman is able to conceive and then to bring to full term a son? As a priest before the Lord chosen to burn the incense in the Temple, Zechariah was given this responsibility before the people of God. As one who serves the Lord as a minister of a thriving church I know how this position can cause your life to be on display for the congregation to see. This was the case for Zechariah and Elizabeth. This is how many will rejoice because of the birth of John, their long awaited son. I had the experience of serving as an associate pastor to a senior pastor and his wife through their period of not being able to have children. For ten years they tried and tried, and then finally the news that she was pregnant was announced and it truly did delight the congregation. I can also remember the thoughts of how this child would become someone outstanding. Our hearts just went there. How much more this first century congregation must have anticipated that the offspring of this priest and his wife would be remarkable. Eventually as John matured I am sure many awaited the holy nature of his life, yet were not surprised by the assignment he was given from on high.
Though our beginnings were not a spectacular event, anyone's life can be turned into a marvelous expression of the great things God will orchestrate. If we live our lives worthy of the calling we have received and led by the Spirit of God over time our lives unfold a great expression of the living God, and it is awesome to behold.
application
Therefore today I need to be true to the calling God has on my life and walk worthy.
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