In Luke 1 we get the story of Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah that he will be a father.
Yeah, Gabriel. The Angel. And father--with an old, barren, wife.
That's just a regular day at work.
Zechariah went into the temple sanctuary a regular priest and came out with a vision and a promise. But no voice. Because when confronted with amazing, good news, he launched into practicalities and a demand for guarantees. "How will I know this is so? We're old..."
I can imagine Gabriel is almost left speechless by what comes out of his mouth next. "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news." Really, you dumb priest? You come in here to offer incense to the Holy One in expectation of miraculous work, of a word from God, of hope for your future. And today, you get it, and you question, you doubt, you move the mighty works of God into the can't-be-done-because-it's-never-been-done.
Gabriel would definitely go on...even if just in his head. "You should be celebrating! God is working toward your salvation. Your "next chance" is coming from an unexpected place, but you know God. God provides through the unexpected. Just let go of what you think you know, dude. Just look around and do a little celebrating at what you have been given."
I have to wonder what we miss, especially as the people of God, because we have narrow expectations, or have to be practical when God is offering us risk and reward, or because our "next chance" might demand us to look at what is and not what is expected.
Zechariah walked out muted. No one could hear the good news he had to proclaim.
How many times do we complain our good news cannot be heard? Perhaps an angel has handed us good news and is watching us ignore it. Perhaps the angel is standing there saying "Celebrate, darn ya...God is here and working. You just can't see it."
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