Humble Beginnings: A Livestock Trough for a Cradle
By Zainabu Cunningham
Mercer, New Jersey USA
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:7
God has a way of flipping the script on us. Isaiah 55:8 says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”
That scripture came to mind when reading in Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not have a beautiful nursery waiting for him. He had a manger as a cradle! A manger, which is a box that horses or cattle eat from! Is that glamorous for our King of Kings, our Savior, the Messiah that was coming to save the world? Absolutely not! But it was all part of God’s plan. God’s plan is far beyond the external. HIS plan is far beyond what we can see.
Writing to you today is a woman who, early in her childhood, became an orphan, and then a few years later became a ward of the Court. According to those two life circumstances alone, I should be a statistic based on what was seen. But God had other plans. I wasn’t part of a study or piece of data; to HIM I was HIS daughter. My story has been woven together by His love, His grace, His power and His Son’s redemption for a purpose. Praise be to God, and that holds true for you as well!
The journey is not always beautifully paved. But God changes our perspective and thinking. Throughout the Bible we see many women and men whose story had a humble beginning or had humble moments just like us.
Spiritual eyes help us to see beyond the surface. Spiritual eyes also help us to see how God can and will flip the script!
Remember and rejoice that God gives purpose to those parts of our story!
Questions for Reflection
1. What are some humble beginnings or humble moments in your life that God has worked through?
2. Can you remember a time God flipped the script on you? How did you respond?
How can you look on moments with spiritual eyes this month?
10 Comments
Dec 17, 2020, 1:04:40 PM
Litonia Harrell - Litonia Harrell - Amen. God definitely does have a way of flipping things. I love how God does get us through the difficult times and doesn't leave us stranded. I remember how my world turned upside down when my mom passed in my Senior year. I took so many wrong paths and living where I lived I was another statistic but God paved the way for me. In those difficult times He made me stronger and reminded me that I was His and that I had a purpose. Thank so much again for what you shared sis.
Dec 17, 2020, 6:50:33 AM
Litonia Harrell - Amen. God definitely does have a way of flipping things. I love how God does get us through the difficult times and doesn't leave us stranded. I remember how my world turned upside down when my mom passed in my Senior year. I took so many wrong paths and living where I lived I was another statistic but God loved the way for me. In those difficult times He made me stronger and reminded me that I was His and that I had a purpose. Thank so much again for what you shared sis.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:02:13 AM
Jackeline Palacios - Amen, great devotional. God know what we need, we have to trust in God because he knows what is best for our life. Thanks for sharing.
Dec 16, 2020, 7:26:33 PM
Glori Rivera - Thank you for the reminder of what God can do with what the world may deem as “little”. Our Lord came from humble beginnings, yet He is Lord of all! This devotional was so encouraging!!!
Dec 16, 2020, 6:08:01 AM
Nnenna - I love how God flips the script in our lives and how when He hold on to Him and His plan we are able to see the miracles unfold in our lives. Thank you for sharing how God flipped the script in your life and reminding us that God writes the best stories.
Dec 16, 2020, 5:00:28 AM
Ana Simmons - Thank you so much for sharing your season. I'm reminded daily of the seasons that God uses to refine my character always to see the bigger picture and just be faithful to HIM, because HE will take care of the rest. To God we give the glory who's mercy and grace I don't deserve because of Jesus blood being shed, I can.
Dec 15, 2020, 9:34:42 PM
Savina Collazo - Thanks so much for sharing your humble beginnings! This is a great reminder of all the "seasons" of my life that God has transformed and reformed! He continues to do so daily in my walk with him, in my relationships and interactions. I agree Karen, thank God for grace!
Dec 15, 2020, 6:34:26 PM
Karen Walk - He flips the script daily for me for my thoughts aren’t always like Jesus but despite it all my sinful nature God has grace and mercy love HIM
Dec 15, 2020, 6:16:52 PM
Sandra Rivera - Thank you for writing this and you are right God had big plans for you . Plans to prosper you and not hurt you. That’s what is beautiful with God that even though we don’t understand he does and he knows exactly what is going to happen we just have to let him lead us and not get distracted by the “stuff “ that life throws in our paths
Dec 15, 2020, 6:05:36 PM
Kadie Ibrahim - Awesome read!!!!! ❤️