So much to do and so little time! Have you felt like this lately? The busyness of the holiday season is upon us as we move closer and closer to Christmas day. December 25th, it's the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
The point of this entire holiday is to pause and celebrate the Savior of the world being born. Born in a stable and wrapped in swaddling clothes. The humility of Jesus is so inspiring. Here we find the King of all kings. The One creation had been waiting for. The One who deserved to be born in a palace with the finest doctors and nurses taking care of Him, with the finest linens and the most luxurious baby bed, was instead born in a barn.
But I want to take a moment to look at the people like you and me who had to respond to God’s directives and seemingly risk it all in order for Jesus to come. Maybe you have heard this story a hundred times but I encourage you to take just a moment to read on and consider this scenario afresh. You may just find the inspiration you need to take that next step of faith that is waiting on you!
Mary proves as a real-life example of what a strong godly, faith woman looks like. Just a teenager when she became pregnant with Jesus, she was engaged to be married to Joseph, a local carpenter in their village.
One night as she was sleeping, Mary experienced a visitation from Gabriel, the angel. Gabriel is an arch angel and he is used as God's messenger at various times throughout the bible. In this visitation, Gabriel told Mary that she would become pregnant with a baby conceived by the Holy Spirit and that this child would be the Savior of the world. It is Mary's response to all this that gives such inspiration. Luke 1:38 says" And Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true." What a response of faith and real gut-level trust!
When God promises something it doesn't matter what the risks are. When you know Him, you know everything will come out better than before!
You see, when God directs us to do something, no matter what the potential risks are, we really aren't taking any risks at all. We can be assured that when He tells us what to do, it will be the best possible thing for our lives.
Consider the blessing that Jesus was to Mary. This humble virgin, a God- honoring teenager, who's engaged to be married, risked everything she had. Mary risked her entire life to trust and listen to God's promise for her. Her reward? She gave birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world, the Prince of peace, the King of kings, Immanuel. What a beautiful picture.
Joseph was a strong father and man of God himself and he stuck by Mary's side through it all. But Mary had to take that first step. She was a strong woman of God who was trusting, strong, courageous, brave and fearless of what people might think of her. This is the woman that gave birth to Jesus and raised Him and gives us such a great example. Both man and woman are made in the image of God according to the book of Genesis. Through our ferocious ability to trust and follow God, we have the power to change history for His glory.
We have the ability to be THIS generation's Ruths, Marys, Elizabeths and Esthers!!
I encourage you this Christmas season to embrace God's promises for your life and walk in those promises, knowing that what He said He will do, and though it may not be what you expected, it will always be better than you could have ever dreamed!
I call you blessed,
Jen ~
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