Zechariah's Unbelief

Luke 1:18-20

A decade ago, I dreamed of having many children—each one unique in the interests they would share with me, the activities we could do together, the joy they would bring to my life. But I have struggled in romance, and with each passing year my dreams get smaller, my hope dwindles a little more.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is watching “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. I enjoy the innocent love story between Rudolph and Clarice, and I hope a little more when they sing, “There’s always tomorrow for dreams to come true.” Then, the misfit toys depress me when they think they’ve been forgotten and cry out in despair, “I haven’t any dreams left to dream!” In spite of their hopelessness, Santa comes to turn their despair to joy by bringing children into their lives.

For many, the holidays are more a painful reminder of what we lack than a joyful celebration. Some of our longings will always be longings; others are felt for only a time. One day, like Zechariah, we may be awed by the plans God has made for us. We can trust that God will fulfill His promise at the proper time.

QUESTIONS:

1. What do you long for this holiday season?

2. What longings of your past is God granting in your present?

PRAYER:

Lord, I trust Your plans for me—plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.

Star Bradley