An Unlikely Story
The story of Mary and Elizabeth has been such an inspirational story to reflect on! Part of me wondered why I hadn’t read it more often since last year, considering our situation. But maybe it’s because it would’ve been too hard to read, realizing that at that point, we could not have our own kids. There are a few things that really made me think:
1. “Together (Zechariah and Elizabeth) they lived honorable lives before God and were careful to keep the commandments and enjoyed a clear conscience before God.” The NIV says, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly,” I find them to be very God-fearing people. To think that despite their “blameless” living, their life was not easy. The next verse says “But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren.” The whole do-good so that you will have a good life, is definitely a misinterpreted view of the gospel. They were upright before God! They ENJOYED a clear conscience before God, yet they were infertile. I look up to that couple incredibly, as a married woman! I so do not obey all the Lord’s commands and regulations blamelessly! I wish I could say I did, but I don’t. For Luke to write that about them, is an incredible compliment! It sounds like Luke had a lot of respect for this couple, yet they struggled with infertility.
2. Can you imagine an angel coming unannounced to you? Shnikees, I sure can’t! When the angel told Zechariah he was going to have a child, he was doubtful. (I think I would be too to be honest!) But to think that God took away his ability to speak because he did not believe what the angel said? Wow. And for a whole 9 MONTHS? That is a LONG time to not be able to speak – to all of a sudden need to learn sign language? All because you doubted God’s promise? God is God and He will do whatever it takes to fulfill His covenant! To me, that was a wake up call – to make sure that I walk in obedience EVERY step of the way. If I start to doubt, God has EVERY right to take away my ability to speak or my ability to walk, or whatever. God’s plans are so much bigger than ours – bigger than our human minds can comprehend. Faithful obedience, even in the craziest of situations, is pertinent!
3. Mary went to go visit Elizabeth for 3 months. God gave the gift of friendship and family to them (they were cousins). They were able to go through their experience together – an experience that was very unique and unheard of. I feel that way with Brenda – though I will not be carrying the child myself, together we go through this process. Who has God put into your life during a tough time? Over the past couple of years (well actually since I’ve moved here) Brenda was always wondering how we were doing – asking questions, offering hugs. Little did I know where it was all leading to. God had built our friendship – our understanding of each other, so that we would be able to work through a situation like this TOGETHER. Brenda is a gift!
4. God CAN and WILL work in impossible situations! Both Mary and Elizabeth experienced what I would call “impossible situations!” In other stories of infertility in the Bible (I know there is Hannah too), Sarah laughed at God when told she would bear a son, Zechariah doubted God (hence his inability to speak), but Mary obeyed God. She accepted the impossible circumstance – she had so much trust and faith in God, that her faith did not waiver. Even though Zechariah and Elizabeth were upright before God, that who they were on the inside matched what was on the outside, Zechariah still doubted. God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary purposes. There is a lot for me to learn from these faithful Christ followers!
I have really gained an appreciation for this story! And it’s a beautiful story to read as Christmas approaches! I know Brenda is going to get a lot of looks if/when she is pregnant! But she can explain it saying she is carrying a baby for another couple. For Mary, she had to explain the “divine” situation. Yes, I believe our story was written by our heavenly Father – but He is using a couple of humans in our situation to work out His plan. Mary, a virgin, had to explain her story and say that she was STILL a virgin. To be honest? If someone told me that today? I can’t say I would 100% believe them! But to think that is how Christ used Mary and used her to continue His covenant of the promise of a Messiah, is incredible. To read their songs and prayers of praise to God. To hear them give God all the glory – it’s challenging.
My hope is that as we enter the Christmas season, that you will have a chance to reflect on the miraculous, impossible story, that God fulfilled through these women.
Luke 1:37 – For nothing is impossible with God
