Unwrapped: Discovering the Holy in the Chaos
In the heart of the festive season, Christmas, we're initiating a fresh series on the Healthy Church Staff Podcast called 'Unwrapped'. We will be diving into unusual segments of the Christmas story that aren't usually highlighted but hold substantial lessons for ministry leaders.
Disruption: An Integral Part of the Ministry
One harsh, yet pivotal truth that shines through the Christmas story is that God rarely waits for stability before making His move. Holy events often transpire amidst chaos, as witnessed in the narrative leading to Jesus’s birth. From an unexpected angelic interruption to Mary’s life plans, erratic Roman census, mandatory travel to overloaded inns, and a birth in a borrowed barn, God’s most profound act of redemption occurred amid absolute disruption.
It's a reminder that ministry often mimics this pattern - carefully laid plans can suddenly be thrown off by an unplanned resignation, illness, technological failures, or even personal dramas. Yet, what if this instability, these sudden interruptions, are exactly the moments when God chooses to move in our lives and ministry?
Embracing the Interruptions
Sometimes we erroneously think that God only moves when all is calm and under control. However, the Christmas story signifies that He often shows up in the middle of unpredictability.
God isn’t idly waiting for the return of normalcy. He might be attempting to shatter that monotony to instigate true redemption. Despite times when the ministry feels like survival amidst exhaustion, remember that the holy doesn't always feel sacred in that moment - it may feel chaotic or confusing. Yet, God often works His wonders right in the middle of all that seemingly mess.
Reflections for the Season
Reflect on the parts of your life or ministry that feel most disrupted right now, especially during this busy Advent season. Consider this disruption as an invitation rather than an interruption. Use this period as an opportunity to ask God to reveal what He might be unwrapping through the current turmoil.
The Christmas season is a potent reminder of how God works within chaos, turning interruption into invitation. So, this Christmas, let’s open our hearts to see God even in the midst of our unsettled plans and chaos. Let's trust in His perfect timing, even if it strikes amidst disruption.
If you wish to delve deeper into this perspective, tune in to today’s episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, the first of our Christmas 'Unwrapped' series. Merry Christmas!
