Reflection: The angel told Zechariah that his prayer has been heard, and that he and his wife would have a son, but this son would not be just answer their own domestic dream, but part of God’s larger plan to rescue the world. As a priest Zechariah would have known the promises of God and been waiting for their fulfilment. But did he know that God would somehow manage to meet his own purposes with offering Zechariah’s own heart’s desire?

It is easy to think that the plans of God are far from our own heart’s desire. What would it look like if we realized that the Lord accomplishes both? He fulfils his own purposes while meeting the deepest needs and desires of our hearts. If we are honest with ourselves and with God, do we hold our own private desires for our lives as more important than God’s own? Or are we prepared to yield to him and his desire for us?

Prayer: Dear Father, incline my heart toward you, so that I desire what you desire. Amen.