I’m a much better player from the couch. I call the plays blamelessly from the bleachers. I never would have made that pass. And the day after the game, they should just hire me I’m so good.

I can do it better. Or at least I would do it different. I would do it my way. And it would be excellent.

How about you?

How about the Christmas story? I would have done it different. God could have used my help. Jesus was born in a feed trough. That wasn’t the way it should have happened. The witnesses to the birth of the Savior stood on four legs and mooed. Is this the way it should have taken place? Not if I was calling the plays. It would certainly have been more extravagant with much more splendor.

And there were lots of others who thought so too. Those living in the first century had long been awaiting the Messiah. And guess what – they missed Him. They missed Christmas. They missed what God was doing in the world. They missed what God was doing in their own life. Why? Because it’s not the way they wanted it to happen.

I wonder how often we miss things that God is up to in our lives because we are looking for something else. Because we would call the plays a different way. Because it doesn’t fit our schedule. Because it’s not convenient for us. Because there’s not enough pomp and circumstance. Because it’s not happening the way I want it to happen.

I think I can do it better. Or at least I would do it different. I want it my way. And I would miss it.

How about you?