Friday March 8

Matthew 2: 13-23

Randi Lundell

“Get up,” said the angel, “and escape to Egypt… for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”  

In the midst of bright stars, shepherds, magi and miracles the little family had to run for its life.  With no time to set up housekeeping, they were being hunted down like dogs because of a prophecy. How clever those wisemen were to have their wits about them and to have actually paid attention to their dreams!  But the dreams of wisemen are no ordinary dreams. Prophecies, dreams, intellect and street smarts all converged to bring the child, the Savior of the world, to Egypt so that indeed the prophecy would be fulfilled despite Herod’s best efforts at thwarting it.  

Doesn’t this say something about God’s hand in the world and in our lives?  Doesn’t this ‘just take the cake’ and ‘beat the band’? When our dreams are troubled and our very lives at risk, God’s word breaks in and leads us home—to Him--by another way.

(Excerpt from James Taylor, “Home by Another Way”)

 Questions for Reflection:

• Have you ever had a dream, a day dream, or just wise counsel that you paid attention to?  How did that shape your decision?

• Have you ever had to go “home by another road,” or figure out an alternative plan when things didn’t go as expected?  What did you do? Did you trust God in the midst of that decision?

Prayer:

Loving God, thank you for breaking into my story and leading me all the way home.  Amen.