An Interrupted Life: The Secret of Mary
Mary's life amazes me. Frankly, if I were in Mary's shoes—I mean, her sandals—I'd probably be very offended with God. Imagine being Mary, for a minute. . .
Here you are—a young, obedient, teenage girl, living a godly life, properly engaged to a good guy, MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS. Then God comes along and completely changes your entire future!! He sends an angel, who gives the strangest announcement, and now you are suddenly PREGNANT in the weirdest way!
How do you break such scandalous news to your parents or relatives?? Your husband—to be??? Now people are talking, whispering behind your back, and saying nasty things about your reputation. Even your fiancé is thinking of divorcing you.
Imagine yourself, after facing the ridicule of people around you, standing firm in your declaration that God is behind all this, confident that He will take care of you . . . only to experience further embarrassment. . .
Now, you are 9 months pregnant with your first child, having to TRAVEL by donkey, with your swollen tummy, jostling up and down dirt roads, suddenly feeling labor pains, and giving birth FAR AWAY from the comforts of home, away from the love of family; your only companion being your husband, who is NOT even the father of your baby!
How easy it is to be offended, especially when you consider yourself a Christian who is already obeying God. You follow God diligently, so in a way, you EXPECT life to follow a certain formula: "I do this, therefore God should do this for me.” And when it doesn’t happen, we get mad.
It’s tempting to look at other people's lives, and think "God, YOU’RE UNFAIR."
“God, do you really love me?”, “Why did my life have to turn out this way?”, “Is this what I get for following you???”, “Why is their life is easier???”
While the weary, young Mary and her 9 month swollen womb were tumbling up and down the road to Bethlehem, her fellow teenagers were SINGLE and CAREFREE.
Besides, God had ALL THE POWER to wake up the shepherds and light up the skies with His heavenly angels, so why couldn't He wake up JUST ONE innkeeper, and tell him in a booming voice, "PREPARE A ROOM!!!" Then poor Mary wouldn't have to endure the pain and humiliation of giving birth to her first-born child in a cold, damp, stinky cow barn.
SURELY HE KNEW when Mary was due. SURELY HE KNEW the destiny of this child she carried. So why did He have to let them go through so much pain and trouble?
If I were God, I would have told Mary:
“You, my dear, are EXCUSED FROM SUFFERING. No more donkey-ride for you. And because you've been SO OBEDIENT, I'm going to give you a PROBLEM-FREE life. Oh, by the way, remember all your neighbors who spoke all those nasty things about you? I'll just ZAP them with LIGHTNING right now." (KABOOM!)
Nope, God didn't do any of that. He allowed Mary & Joseph to experience their unique life struggles. Yes, even death threats. All the more does Mary's response become even more amazing to me:
My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in GOD, MY SAVIOR. Luke 1:46
Secret #1: Regardless of your situation, focus on the greatness of the Lord, not the size of your problem.
Don’t allow your emotions to focus on your challenges. Let the magnifying glass reveal that God’s will is greater than your will.
Mary’s soul, which could have easily been OFFENDED and BURDENED by God-given cares, CHOSE instead to MAGNIFY THE LORD and NOT her problems . . . "Let it be done to me, according to Thy Word."
Mary despite her suffering, allowed GOD to BE GOD.
Life is a journey we live, and God promises to travel the road with us. The challenges we face become part of our testimony. He is always in control, despite the Herods of this world and the hurts we endure.
When others see us, respond in FAITH, in the midst of our personal troubles, the opportunity for Christ to be BORN in their hearts become very real.
God interrupted Mary's life and she responded in faith. As far as she was concerned, her Savior had come. It was well with her soul.
"And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:45
Dear Lord, I CHOOSE to believe.
Let it be done unto me and my family,
According to Your Word.
(See you next Thursday : >)
P.S. I first wrote this Christmas message on my multiply site in 2007, then in Facebook in 2009. It is a timeless, great way to start the Christmas season.
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