Emily anxiously stared at the pool of water at her feet. “John, I think my water broke.” John froze like a deer caught in the head lights.
Seeing his confused expression, she took a breath to calm herself and simply said, “Coat.” Shaking his head in agreement, John repeated “Coat” as he dashed to the closet. He ripped her red coat off the hanger, grabbed a purple hat, orange gloves and hurried back. Emily frowned at the colors of her garments as he jammed the hat cockeyed on her head.
“John, get your coat and my bag.” “Ok, ok,” he mumbled. Clumsily he grabbed the items, threw open the front door and ran outside. “Sorry Emily,” he grimaced rushing back in to help her to the car.
Riding to the hospital Emily tried to quiet her anxiety by repeating, “Soon we will hold our beautiful baby.”
FAITH WITH ANXIETY!
We may not know Emily, but we are all familiar with the virgin pregnancy of 14-year-old1 Mary, the mother of Jesus, (Luke 1:26-38).
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place.
When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph,
before they were married,
she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18 CEB
Imagine Mary’s thoughts when the angel spoke of her forthcoming pregnancy! How could a virgin be pregnant?! How could she give birth to the Son of God?!
Fear filled thoughts must have fought with her faith.
Would she be rejected by Joseph or would God make Joseph understand? Would she be shunned by her family and all of Nazareth? Even worse, would she be stoned?
How would she explain her pregnancy; “I am a pregnant virgin?” The response would be, “Oh, yeah. And I am the king of Israel!” She would be met with laughter, ridicule and then there was that stoning thing.
In spite of the fears filling her with anxiety, this 14-year-old girl answered the angel with courageous faith.
“I serve the Lord,” Mary answered.
“May it happen to me just as you said it would.”
Then the angel left her,
Luke 1:38 NIV
WHAT NEXT?
We don’t know all that Mary felt, but we can guess from her experiences.
Mary Was Getting Married!
Imagine her relief when God intervened and Joseph took her as his wife. (Matthew 1:19-21). What else would God do?
Pregnancy Changes!
Did she experience:
Morning sickness?
Braxton Hicks contractions?
Back aches?
Bladder pressure?
How about cravings?
Or
joy as ripples moved across her stomach and kicks poked her belly?
Travel!
4 Days & 99 miles!2
In the last stages of her pregnancy, Mary had to ride a donkey for over 99 miles! There weren’t any shock absorbers on the donkey, just a constant jostling over rocky and hilly terrain.
Did Mary feel the discomfort that all women would? Was she concerned about giving birth before reaching Bethlehem? Or did God make her journey smooth?
Imagine how she would have felt on that four-day journey. It’s not like there was a gas station bathroom around every corner to run in. Even if her pregnancy was easier than normal, I imagine she had some anxiety especially about giving birth for the first time.
Birth!
Unlike Emily, Mary would not give birth in a sterile environment attended by professional health care providers. When Mary’s water broke did Joseph panic like John or did the peace that surpasses understanding envelop the scene? What faith it would have taken to give birth in a stable!
Like all new mothers, when Mary held her son her anxiety and discomfort of the prior 9 months would have felt worthwhile. Did she look at their tiny baby in awe remembering the words of the angel?
“He will be great,
and will be called the Son of the Highest;
and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and of His kingdom there will be no end,”
Luke 1:32-33
IT’S PREPARATION!
For Mary to be highly favored and blessed by God tells us that Mary’s faith was strong. In spite of that strength, the difficulties she faced must have caused her anxiety and stretched her faith. However, God would have used it to prepare Mary to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
Sometimes God asks us to take a step of faith knowing we will face difficult situations.
Is God asking you to take a step of faith?
What is God preparing you for?
GIFTS FROM FAITH!
In this season of gift giving, what gift will your faith give to others? Mary’s faith gave birth to Jesus, a gift to the world.
For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,
John 3:16 NIV
Will your faith turn someone’s heart to Jesus giving them the gift of eternal life?
REFLECTION
Do you have faith like Mary’s?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Luke 1:38 and say it aloud, strengthen me to have faith like Mary’s. Stretch my faith and use me to give Your gift to others. In Jesus name. Amen.
WE CAN HAVE FAITH LIKE MARY’S!
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 jesusalive.cc (age 12-14 years old)
2 Travelujah.com (journey 4 to 7 days)
Photos Mary, JESUS_is_our_only_HOPE
Photo Chuppah, Matthew
Merry Christmas, Geralt
