Hope for the Hard Stuff
“And behold, even your relative Elizabeth herself has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called infertile is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God. And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:36-38
What I love most about Advent is the slowing down and learning more about the birth of our Lord and Savior. I find comfort in this familiar story, yet as each new Advent Season approaches, the Holy Spirit never fails to reveal something new and fresh to me. This year, the highlighted verses above reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas songs, Mary Did You Know? As Mary embraces the angel’s message with Holy expectancy, I long to ask her a question the song does not address. “Mary, did you know this was going to be hard?”
I wonder if she was expecting a causal walk in the park, with a smooth path leading to a glorious end? Or was she prepared for the difficulties that awaited her as she carried our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace from conception to birth?
The unfolding of events brings immediate hardship. Joseph contemplates calling off the engagement, not wanting to shame Mary about being pregnant outside of marriage. As he considers these things, Behold, an angel tells Joseph to stay the course. And so he does.
When Mary was in her ninth month, she and Joseph were required to leave their home in Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem to be registered. Bethlehem was Joseph’s home town, not Mary’s. Mary was a young Jewish girl from Nazareth. Although Scripture never states this, my guess is that Mary left her entire support system behind when they went to Bethlehem.
Being nine months pregnant, did she anticipate riding on a donkey for four or five days during the sixty-five mile journey back to Bethlehem on dusty and dirty roads? If it were me, all I’d be thinking about is a hot bath and a good nights sleep in a comfortable bed once we reached our destination. But this isn’t what happened. When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room available at the inn they traveled so far to reach. Instead, they were given a place to sleep in the barn. Then it began. All by herself, she went into labor. Without her mother, or sisters if she had them, or friends. Again, I beg to ask the question, “Mary, did you know it would be this hard?” After all this, imagine kissing the face of God! GLORIOUS!
My friends, has God called you to do something that’s hard? A difficult assignment doesn’t mean it’s not from God. Not all things God calls us to do are easy. Most of the time they are not. But the degree of difficulty does not determine the degree of God’s presence. Behold, nothing will be impossible with God. He sees you. He hears you. He’s with you in the moment. May we all be like Mary, who willingly said yes to a blessed but difficult assignment, then waited in hopeful expectation for the glorious ending. God will do the same for you!
What About You?
We’ve all had hard assignments from time to time. Perhaps you’re experiencing one right now. Describe your feelings as you encounter the challenges you’re faced with.
From this story of Jesus’ birth, we can see that God was with Mary the entire time. If you were to ask God to awaken your heart and soul to His presence in the middle of your hard stuff, what do you think His answer would be?
What gives you hope that He’s with you now and will always be with you in the future?
Keep your eyes and ears open for even the slightest glimmer of His presence around you and when you see it, whisper a prayer of thanks.
