Why am I watching?

I’ve been reading Luke in my morning devotions.  I came across this passage this morning, and it hit me in a fresh way.

The scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him.  Luke 6:7

It seems so odd to me, that the religious leaders were watching Him closely to see if He broke the Sabbath.  Not to see if He could really heal someone, but to see if He did so on the Sabbath!  Not to see if this man really could perform a miracle, but to see if He did it at a time or place that seemed inappropriate or inconvenient to them.  Were they really that self-centered and blind?  Could they really miss the miracle of His healing because they were so focused on what rule He was breaking?  Could their own hang-ups really get in the way of them encountering Emmanuel, God with us?

Could mine? 

I wonder sometimes whether I’m watching for God so that I can discover a discrepancy or so that I can point out a reason to praise Him.  Am I watching for Him so that I can blame Him for something, or so that I can thank Him for something?  Am I honestly watching for Him?

Do I watch for God through the lens of my own religious background, preconceptions and selfish motives?  Or, do I watch for Him through the lens of His Word?  Am I honestly watching for Him?

Do I watch for God so that I don’t miss what He can do for me?  Or, do I watch for God so that I don’t miss what I can do for Him?  Am I honestly watching for Him?

This Christmas, I want to be watching for Him in all places He typically shows up, and maybe in some unexpected places as well.  This Christmas, I want to honestly watch for Him in the small things and the large ones. 

This Christmas, I want to honestly watch for Him. 

Jesus. 

Emmanuel. 

God with us.

God with me.

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