“One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.” Luke 1:8-12
As servants of God we must be keenly aware that every now and then a moment in our lifetime is marked like no other. I imagine this is one of those moments for Zechariah, or so he thought. Many other priests would have been present and looking forward to the lot falling on them, but this was Zechariah’s moment and he most definitely would participate fully. But something different happened that day, something he hadn’t anticipated – he might have imagined the fear of messing up, or staying inside too long, but he would have never guessed an angel would appear at that precise time and would shake things up for him in the sanctuary.
Being chosen to officiate at the funeral service of 24 year old Mironda Heston, missionary to Haiti, was an honor. She had contracted dengue fever while serving the people she had fallen in love with. I remember this quote from her journal, “Life is made up of each little day . . . that is what comprises our existence . . . each day impacts the world somehow. I just want to question what mark I want to leave. Something that is true/real . . . that is me, my contribution to humanity and the earth.” One young life, one old life . . . in both cases Mironda and Zechariah were participants of God-chosen moments forever marked in history, perhaps questioning what mark they wanted to leave while at the same time unknowingly leaving it.
When was the last time you were shaken by the presence of God, or is the sanctuary of your heart on sabbatical?
Oh Lord, help me not to be so concentrated on making a mark in the world that I miss the God-appointed moments each and every day. Thank you for the times I have been overwhelmed by your presence in my own sanctuary. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
I believe that we more often than not, do leave the mark when we least expect it. The harder we try, the more we get in the way of God. When we let go, God steps in and we are then in his presence, doing his work, and we impact others. Great Post Rhonda!