"Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he
stayed so long in the temple." Luke 1:21
This verse touches a nerve because we've all been there. We've all been weighed down at one time or another by the expectations, demands and curiosity of others. We go about our lives seeking the Lord and following his lead, and in the process find that we are not understood, that people are watching, questioning, and wondering why we are doing what we're doing. They judge our motives, our decision making, our wisdom, even our hearts. In our attempt to be faithful, we are confronted with the reality that in order to walk in obedience to the Spirit of God sometimes that means other people will be left waiting, wondering, and even let down. Can we come to terms with this and live at peace, resting in the love and approval of God? Can we embrace, with confidence, what God is doing in us and how he is leading us, and let go of trying to please everyone around us?
Zechariah was a priest, a spiritual leader in Israel. He had a certain status within the community given the position he had serving the Lord in the temple. While Zechariah was burning incense before the Lord worshipers assembled outside, as was the custom, and began praying. But this was no ordinary time of service for Zechariah. An angel of the Lord appeared to him to announce God's plan and provision for Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth. What had been a typical start to his time of service in the temple suddenly turned into a life-changing encounter with a messenger of God. All the while the angel is speaking to Zechariah, the people are outside beginning to realize they have been praying much longer than usual. They stop praying and start getting restless. They look around, wondering what is going on, wondering what Zechariah is doing. This isn't the way incense burning is supposed to go. This was not at all what they were expecting. In their view, he should have come out already and given the Aaronic blessing. While they wait, their curiosity begins to grow and they want answers. But, because of what God was doing in Zechariah, there were no real answers for them to receive.
At this point in Zechariah's life, God was more concerned about what he needed to do in Zechariah than through him. God was more interested in the eternal work he desired to do in Zechariah's heart, than the incense burning going according to custom. The reality is God desires so much for us to be like him, and in the process, often turns our lives upside down. And when this happens, there are very few who, looking in from afar, don't question us, doubt us, and demand answers and explantations. Aside from Zechariah gesturing enough for the people to understand he had seen a vision, they didn't get any answers. They were not told what God was doing in Zechariah, what his plan was for him, why nothing at the temple that day went according to plan, or why Zechariah came out mute. God was at work in eternal and miraculous ways, but it was not for the people's consumption, nor did it require their approval or understanding. It was for Zechariah to listen, to learn, and obey. It was for Zechariah to hear, follow, and be transformed.
Be it the severe mercy of God working discipline in our lives, or his plan unfolding in mysterious ways, it is only for us to seek him in the midst, to hear from the Spirit, to follow his voice, and walk in confident obedience. Our heart's desire should be to please the Lord, not be consumed by the demands, approval, or expectations of others. It is ours to love well and extend grace, but this does not mean that everyone will understand or like what we are doing. This was true for Zechariah when it came time for his baby to be named. Zechariah was again confronted with the plan of God flying in the face of custom and expectations. God had decreed that the baby was to be named John, but because none of their relatives had this name, the people objected. Zechariah, in obedience to God, after months of chastening silence and miraculous provision, writes on a tablet the name of his child. In accordance with the word of the Lord, against the people's desire and understanding, Zechariah names him John.
We are called to live our lives to please God, not win the approval of people. Our decisions need to be made as offerings of obedience to the Lord, not as answers to the demands and expectations of others. There is only one master for whom we can live. Will it be the Lord - no matter how misunderstood we may be, or will it be the restless, questioning, wondering crowd? Amidst Zechariah's well-known story, there is a testimony of victory. And this victory can be ours as well. The Spirit is whispering to our hearts this Advent. He is offering us freedom from the pressure and weight of living for the acceptance of others; he is inviting us into the quiet rest of God's love and approval.