Today begins a new journey through the Scriptures. I make it a practice to begin every day by reading the Bible and praying–my way of trying to get in tune with God so that I can hear Him throughout the day. In recent days I’ve been using reading plans from the Bible app and Bible.com, but today I want to go back to a resource that allows me to reflect upon what I’ve read with great intention. So I picked up a little book that has arranged the Scripture for me, and I plan to regularly post to my blog about what God is teaching/telling me.

The thing that has jumped out to me so far: in Matthews account of Jesus’ parents, God told them Jesus would be important, but He didn’t tell them nearly HOW important He would be. Joseph and Mary walked through her unexpected and embarrassing pregnancy without the promise that He would be a king or that He was going to be considered God’s son. He was even given a common name for the time. Oh the surprise that awaited them!

Oh the surprise that awaits me too, when God asks me to serve, but doesn’t explain just how great the impact of my actions will be! I wish He often provided a little more perspective and motivation, but sometimes I have to learn to enjoy the surprises that He tends to store up for me until the perfect moment. God’s a good parent…I should be faster to trust and serve Him.