devotional - day 21

Malachi 3:1 Look! I am sending my messenger and he will prepare the way…

Isn’t it lovely when someone goes ahead of you and gets everything ready for when you are due to arrive? It’s so much less work and stress! It also increases your ability to enjoy whatever destination it is you’re going to. 

Perhaps think of it like this: God has planned a glamping backpacking trip into the mountains for you and him.  He has some extra time and a llama and states that he’ll go on ahead a day or two before. So he packs up all the gear onto the llama and himself and treks in a couple days ahead of you. When you are due to leave all you need to bring is a hydration backpack with whatever reading material you might desire, snacks for the trail, and bug spray. 

Then when you get to camp, you find God has everything already set up in splendid fashion. The huge tent complete with comfortable cots and cozy sleeping bags, a hammock hung between two trees, a refreshing beer and fruit waiting for you on the table. He has a fabulous meal of salmon and veggies planned for that evening while you sit around the fire in your recliner camping chairs. He’s even provided a portable outhouse for your bodily function needs. Therefore, as you camp with God, all you need to do is help in small ways while he orchestrates the rest. 

That is what I tend to imagine when I read this verse - which also is referenced by Matthew, Mark, and Luke in regards to Jesus. Something about that visualization tickles me and delights me and I am ever so grateful God has sent messengers to prepare my way.