Mary Did You Know?

As I reflect on the Christmas season this year, some things stick out to me as we are in this transition in our lives. It has been a very peaceful feeling knowing that we are doing God's will and that He has led us on this journey. Does that mean that it's all been good? Does it mean that everything has worked out seamlessly for us? Does it mean that we don't question God?.... No it doesn't.

Thinking on the Christmas story and the lives of Joseph and Mary, we often romanticize what happened. How everything worked out just as God planned. But as I thought about the lives of Mary and Joseph, I realized that when they were in the middle of things, it probably wasn't really easy. They might have had the same doubts we do as Christians today. Mary accepted what the Will of God was for her like we often do in our lives. Having the Messiah!!! What a huge blessing to be the one to carry and give birth to the Son of God!

It doesn't record it in the Bible but I'm sure a lot of people gave her some looks being unwed and pregnant. Did people say hurtful things? Did friends or family exclude her? Joseph even thought about putting her away. Maybe Mary told him he was going to be a father of the promised One, but it was too hard of a pill to swallow.

The angel told him this is of God and he too accepted what God's Will was. Did they question God when they had to make the journey to Bethlehem being nine months pregnant? Did they pray "Why God? this isn't a good time for us". When they got to Bethlehem and there was nowhere but a barn to deliver the King of Kings did they say "Oh this is perfect! Thank you, God, this is just how we wanted things to happen!" How many times in the past nine months did they say "God this is harder than I thought it would be, we're doing Your will, why don't things just fall into place for us?"

I don't know if they prayed those prayers or asked God those questions but I think I would have, being in their shoes. How many times do we ask those questions to God?  How many times do things not make sense to us? Do we think that the road should be easier? If someone could read a story about our lives and what God's plan was for us 2000 years from now, I know they would see the perfectness in it. We see how everything worked out just as God had planned for the birth of Christ. Whatever struggles we go through, God has a perfect plan for us. It may not seem to be at the time when things are the hardest, but take hope because "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose". 

Merry Christmas to all!

-Andy

Merry Christmas 2018!