The camels are coming!

 
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshipped him.
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts
of gold, frankincense and myrrh
(Matthew 2:10-11)

We are all familiar with the Christmas story. Even those who perhaps have never stepped foot inside a church tend to know at least the rough outline of the plot! I know it well, I’ve read it a thousand times, sung many a carol, sat through many nativity plays - yet every year, without fail, I find a new and fresh perspective on this well told tale. Some new insight that both blesses and challenges me. Recently, I read about a sermon entitled ‘The Camels are Coming’, and its concept is so simple, yet so powerful.
 
In the Christmas story, we see that Mary and Joseph did not have to go out seeking the provisions that they needed. Although they found themselves probably wholly unprepared, giving birth in a dark, cold stable, we don’t read of them sending out SOS messages, asking for supplies. There was no Uber Eats or Whoosh delivery to ease their unforeseen circumstances. But because they were in the will of God, and being obedient to His call on their lives, it allowed God to move on their behalf, sending to them wise men, mounted on camels and loaded up with provisions.
 
The same is true for us. If we are in the will of God for our lives, seeking Him daily, we can trust Him to meet our every need. We do not need to chase it down, because it will seek us out. We don’t have to try to make things happen in our own strength, for our God will supply our every need according to the glory of his riches in Christ (Philippians 4:19).
 
I will always remember as a child, one Christmas shortly after my dad passed away, getting an unexpected knock on the door. There stood on our doorstep, two much loved and dear friends of ours, all smiles, laden with shopping bags full of much needed provisions. We had not asked, we had not searched, but my mum had prayed! And trusted! And believed!
 
We can trust in His provision for our lives, for even if we are unfaithful to Him, He is faithful to us  - for He cannot deny who He is (2 Timothy 2:13)!
 
Whatever your need or circumstances may be this Christmas season, I pray that you may know His perfect peace, His Shalom that surpasses all human understanding. Fear not! The camels are coming!

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay