The directions were sparse: a baby lying in a manger in Bethlehem.
No house number.
No street address.
How did the shepherds find baby Jesus?
Luke’s gospel says:
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ” (Luke 2: 15-16)
This account sounds as if the shepherds ran to Bethlehem and instantaneoulsy found the right stable with baby Jesus. Is it possible that they had to search for baby Jesus? Did they knock on a few doors? Did they arrive at numerous stables that were only filled with animals? How long did they have to look before they found the right one?
Why didn’t God make things easy for the shepherds? Why didn’t He give more specific directions?
What was happening everytime the shepherds asked another person if they knew about a baby in a manger?
Through the process of seeking, the good news of the Savior’s birth spread to more people.
Does God do the same in our lives?
For years I searched for a car. It was not an easy process because of my back problems and anxiety. I searched in numerous car lots, asked many questions and test drove lots of cars. But after many attempts, I still did not find the right vehicle.
On one particular test drive with a sales woman, I felt led to pray outloud, “Lord, please help me find a new car. I have been looking for so long.” I don’t know if this sales woman was a Christian, but now she was part of my faith journey. She observed a Christian with a problem, asking God for help. She watched me take steps of faith in my process of searching.
One Saturday morning she called.
“I have a 2018 Honda Odyssey. Do you want to come and see it?” she asked.
After the test drive, I had to make a decision. She watched me stuggle with my anxiety in making such an important decision. Once I made the decision to buy the vehicle, she said: “We don’t often get a vehicle like this. I wanted to make sure you got it. I wanted make sure you were taking care of.” I could tell her words were sincere. She truly cared about me and God used her to answer my prayer.
Joseph and Tina with new van.
What are your searching for today? Are you searching for a way to heal your marriage? Are you asking others for advice on a career change? Maybe you are looking for answers about how to break free from an addiction. All of us are searching for something.
Sometimes I wish God would send me a text message with clear directions about the decisions I need to make. Maybe an angel could assure me during my moments of doubt: “Tina, do not fear, in two years you will find the right vehicle. In Oct of 2023, you will find the car you need at the Honda dealership in Lebanon, PA.” But that is not what happened. Instead, I searched and prayed. I called and asked questions. During the process of searching, I asked many friends and family to pray for me. And now God has answered our prayers! The good news of God’s faithfulness has touched many people’s lives as they watched my process of searching.
Are you looking for answers?
Are you waiting for directions?
Keep seeking. Keep asking. Keep knocking.
Seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the doors will open.
Good Evening Father,
There are so many times we feel frustrated by the problems of life. We look for solutions and often can’t find them. In our moments of despair, reach down and fill us with your peace. Remind us of all the times you have taken care of us in the past. Give us patience to wait upon you to reveal your plans for us. Help us to not give up seeking, asking and knocking.
healinghope4women 