While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, and angel of the LORD appeared to him …

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman!  The LORD is with you!

Luke 1.11, 28

God interrupts.

Without warning, ceremony or preparation.  Gabriel shows up.

Going about their business.  Zechariah was a descendant of a particular priestly line, chosen that week by lot for a task so familiar it may have felt routine.  But with a stunning interruption appears Gabriel, with news of a lifetime, of many lifetimes.

Mary was not in the temple.  Not in prayer that we know of.  Not doing anything that warranted a mention in Dr. Luke’s account.  And there, suddenly beside her is Gabriel.  With an announcement that will not only change her life, but define it.  With THE announcement of all time.

We seek God.  We seek His power, His answers, to know His will.  As well we should.  God longs to answer these prayers.

But He is not dependent on us.  He does not need to wait for us.

He has answers to questions we have not asked.

He show up.  He interrupts.

Expect the unexpected from God.  Expect Him to take initiative.

He is not the distant watch maker that wound it up and now watches it run from afar.

He is engaged, intentional and active.

Even in times of seeming absence, distance or quietness from God, He is none of those things.  He is patient.  He is willful about His timing.  But He is not absent or inattentive.

Our response when God acts is shock.  Zechariah did not believe.  Mary was in awe.  Both were afraid.

Look for God to act.  Expect Him to show up.  Our waiting is active, because He is.

Do not count God as slow as some count slowness.

Do not slumber or neglect His return.

Occupy.  Be at His work.  As He is.

Find out what God is doing and go join Him there.

God is not our staff, waiting for our commands, direction or prayers.  We are His.

Zechariah and Mary went back to their routines.  Kind of.  Daily tasks looked much the same.  But they were changed forever.  What was before idle day to day living became profoundly purposeful.  They now had an expectation for the future that was not based on a projection of a trajectory of events, but based solely on the promise of God.

God has a plan.  There is a destiny.  We know it in part.  We live day to day, but with expectation of God ultimately fulfilling His plan and His promises.

In His time.  In His way.

God is active.  He interrupts.  Thank God that He does.