Where Does God Hide Your Provision? - Episode 14

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For the last few weeks, we've walked with Mary through her, yes, through her waiting, and through the weight of carrying what God placed in her hands.

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And now we've arrived at the moment this entire season has been leading us toward.

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The moment when waiting becomes a wonder, when hiddenness becomes revelation, when obedience becomes impact.

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Hi, I'm Melissa, and this is my question for you.

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It's a quiet space to pause, reflect and listen for the question God may be asking you right in the middle of your everyday life.

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And today we've finally arrived at the manger, the place where God's promise steps into the world in a way no one expected, but every soul needed.

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So here's my question for you today, the final question of our Christmas.

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Where does God hide your provision?

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Okay, let's slowly step into the scene.

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Mary is nine months pregnant.

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Her body is tired, her feet are swollen, and her patience has to be running thin.

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She and Joseph have traveled miles, not in comfort, not in ease, but out of obedience.

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They finally arrive in Bethlehem expecting something, at least a place to rest, at least a door that opens.

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But instead, there's no room, there's no bed, no space, and no welcome.

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If anyone deserved things to go smoothly, it was Mary.

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She said yes, she trusted God and she carried the promise.

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But obedience doesn't always end in comfort.

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Instead of ease, she's given a stable.

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A stable, A place that feels too small, too dirty, too humble, too ordinary to hold something this holy.

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But that stable wasn't punishment and it wasn't failure.

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It was provision in disguise.

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A hidden holy place, a sacred space wrapped in simplicity.

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God had already prepared the exact place where the promise would be revealed.

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And once you notice it, you begin to see something incredible.

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God was providing all along, just not loudly, not in a flashy way, not the way we expect provision to look.

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Let's look at how it showed up.

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First, the stable itself.

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A quiet place, a sheltered place, a protected place.

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Not what Mary imagined, but exactly what she needed.

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And then there were the shepherds.

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They weren't kings, they weren't priests, they weren't powerful people, just ordinary people working the night shift who were paying attention.

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God didn't send experts, he sent witnesses.

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And they arrived breathless, declaring the words of angels, saying, a savior has been born.

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Mary didn't ask for confirmation, but God sent it anyway.

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Okay, then there's Joseph, Joseph's strength.

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God spoke to him through dreams, through reassurance, through quiet direction.

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So Mary didn't have to carry the responsibility all alone.

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Provision isn't always money.

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Or resources.

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Sometimes it's just someone who stays, who listens, who's beside you when you need them.

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Later in the story, there are the wise men.

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They were led by a star bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh, gifts that would fund the journey ahead.

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They weren't too early, and they weren't too late.

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They were right on time.

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And hovering over it all was the star, heaven bending low to guide people straight to Jesus.

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A quiet message in the sky saying, God is moving.

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Look up.

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Let's bring this home.

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Sometimes God's provision looks like a stable.

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Small, unexpected, humble and hidden.

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And especially this time of year, that can be hard to see.

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Because, let's be honest, Christmas can feel heavy.

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Bills pile up.

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Family dynamics start to get a little complicated.

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Expectations run high, and energy runs low.

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Some people walk into Christmas carrying joy.

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Others carry grief, loneliness, financial pressure, disappointment that the year didn't turn around the way they hoped.

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And sometimes God's provision doesn't look like a miracle.

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Sometimes it looks like enough strength to get through the day, and that counts.

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Provision often shows up quietly, so quietly that we almost miss it.

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Sometimes it looks like a door closing, and later you realize that was God's protection.

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Sometimes it's a delay, and later you see it was positioning.

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Sometimes it looks like peace that doesn't match your circumstances, and that's how you know it's God.

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God never leaves a promise unprotected.

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He never leaves obedience unsupported.

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And he never asks you to carry something without providing what you need along the way.

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Now, here's where it all comes together.

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Mary said yes.

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And that yes changed the world.

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Think about it.

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Without her yes, there is no manger.

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Without the manger, there are no shepherds hearing angels sing.

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And without the shepherds, no early witnesses to hope.

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Without her yes, there are no wise men following a star.

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And without that yes, no Savior in human form.

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There's no cross, no resurrection, no redemption, no eternal life.

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Mary had no idea the weight of her yes.

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She simply trusted God with what she couldn't understand.

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And through her obedience, hope himself entered the world.

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Your yes may not bring a savior into the world, but it can bring healing into a difficult relationship or faith into your family line.

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Maybe it's hope into someone who's watching your life from the outside, or light into a place that feels so dark.

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God uses surrendered people to change the world one yes at a time.

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So here's the takeaway, and I hope you'll carry this into Christmas and just speak this affirmation as you go into the week and move into the holidays, just say quietly, God has already prepared the place, the provision and the people for the promise he gave me.

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Let that settle deep in your spirit, because the same God who prepared a stable for Mary has already prepared provision for you.

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The miracle of Christmas didn't arrive in noise, it arrived in stillness.

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And the same God who showed up in a stable is still showing up in quiet places today as Christmas draws near.

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I hope this truth wraps around you like peace.

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God always keeps his promises, he always provides, he always shows up and he is always faithful.

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Mary's yes changed the world and your yes carries more impact than you can imagine.

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So as you step into this Holy Week, may you feel God drawing close, guiding your steps, strengthening your faith and filling your heart with wonder.

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Until next time, I hope you'll keep asking, keep listening, and keep trusting the One who provides in ways you never expected and always need.

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Before you go, if this episode stirred something in you, don't let it stop here.

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Join the Growing My Question for you community@myquestionforyou.com and get my free Reflection Guide.

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It follows along with each weekly episode and gives you more ways to dive in and grow closer to God.

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And you'll also get my weekly email called A Quiet Invitation, where you can take the conversation even deeper.

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And if you believe someone else needs to hear this, I hope that you would please share it, tag it, or post it to your story.

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Because every click and every share helps spread encouragement for the spirit and wisdom for the walk.

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Sam.