Feeling the doom and gloom of the news? Take heart because the Word tell us the truth. Even with so much uncertainty in the world today, I’m blessed to experience nothing but kindness and love from those I come in contact with. I show respect and kindness to others and I receive the same. I’m reminded that even though we are inundated with hatred and destruction, people don’t always buy into it.
Despite being constantly bombarded with negativity, doom, and gloom that can wear on one’s heart, we do have access to a solid foundation no matter how strong the storm. In the word of God we can find peace, clarity, wisdom, revelation, truth etc.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I specifically seek God’s heart on whatever is troubling my spirit. For the last month or so He has repeated the same thing: Get in the Word. The answers are in the Word. Read the Word. Know the Word. The Word will give you discernment.
Whenever fear tries to separate me from the truth of who God is, I replace that lie with His Word. When my emotions are working overtime and I’ve given my feelings more authority in my head space than God, I speak out loud how God has been faithful to me. I stand on example after example of why God cannot be anything but good, kind, and loving to me. He has never failed to turn my pain into purpose.
Because of God’s consistent call for me to be in His Word, I’ve decided to add scripture to my monthly blog posts in a specific way. I will use a quick snippet of scripture and give focused attention to how it is speaking to me in that moment. Together, let’s hold God’s Word up to the light and see how we can apply it to our lives in the here and now.
Many things captivate me when I read God’s Word, but I find it especially fascinating how the same scripture can speak to me in different ways depending on my need, maturity in Christ and my emotional condition. With this in mind, I urge you to read the selected scripture and explore how it may speak to you in the same way I share. But then also meditate on what it means to you personally. Talk to God about how His Word speaks to your life amidst the circumstances you are experiencing.
Today’s scripture is Luke 1:39-45 (NIV) “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
God’s Word is layered with who He is. Scripture always speaks to culture and to the beautiful love story God writes with us as individuals. In this particular scripture Mary has just learned she will give birth to the Son of God. She runs to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had never been able to have children and, though she was beyond childbearing age, the Lord has blessed her, too, with a miracle child. Mary will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, and Elizabeth will give birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner who will prepare the way for Jesus.
There’s so much to discover here, but let’s press beyond the obvious. How can we apply this Scripture to today? In a time of uncertainty and upheaval, what can we take away from God’s Word that will encourage us?
For me, I see two women who were specifically chosen by God to bring about life changing events on His Kingdom calendar. Obviously, we will never give birth to the Son of God, but we know that God’s passion for humanity has not dried up. He hasn’t run out of solutions, ideas, creativity, or love for us. Consequently, He has plans for each of us individually and for His creation as a whole. You have skills and talents He wants to see in full expression. Make no mistake, you have a specific contribution to make to this portion of history, as God unfolds His plan.
Something else noteworthy about these women is that Mary was young, with some commentaries estimating her age to have been around thirteen. On the other hand, Elizabeth was beyond childbearing age with more years behind her than ahead. She is estimated to have been in her sixties. While Mary was seemingly too young to carry a healthy child to full term, Elizabeth was too old to do the same. How wonderful that even age cannot hinder God’s plan for our lives!
Maybe you’re like Mary and God has surprised you or wants to surprise you with something He wants to do through your seemingly ordinary life. Or maybe you’re like Elizabeth and you’ve been waiting a long time for God to move on a promise He gave you. Whether you’re newly discovering what God has for you in this season or you’ve been waiting for God to move, we can rest in the fact that He is faithful … and He is never late.
Graham Cooke likes to say, “God is never late, He just misses a lot of opportunities to be early.” Therefore, don’t lose heart. Continue positioning yourself by using your gifts and talents. This will keep you in the right place so that at the right time when God is ready to put your particular calling into action on His Kingdom calendar you’re ready to step up and step in.
God’s beauty is highlighted when He flips the very things that tried to crush us and turns them into a deeper level of freedom and victory. In addition, He further reveals His true identity when He redeems our pain and gives it purpose and, even more so, in how He shows Himself present and engaged in the midst of our struggles.
In God’s eyes we’re Mary Elizabeth. Nothing is impossible. He has an amazing adventure in store for each of us, no doubt designed to blow our finite minds.
Most importantly, I want to remind you that the gateway to God is covered in His Son’s blood. He chose to sacrifice His Beloved Son in order for us to have the opportunity to choose to discover His heart for us.
Finally, remember that God is writing a much bigger love story with each of us. We can see this as truth because every day, without ceasing, He continues to write a beautiful love story through the blood of His Son, Jesus.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-Reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
- Would you consider yourself Mary? Why or why not?
- Does this particular revelation about what God is showing you confuse or clarify things for you?
- Would you consider yourself Elizabeth? Why or why not?
- What is something you feel God promised you but has not brought to pass yet?
- Why do you think He is waiting?
- With regard to Luke 1:39-45, how does this scripture speak to you with regard to your life today?
- In what other ways has/does Luke 1:39-45 spoken/speak to you as a whole?
Talk to God about your answers. Give Him praise, ask Him questions and then listen for His gentle response.
Take Action
Use God’s word to take control over the traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises in His word.
Here is a scripture for you to print, cut and carry with you and/or post in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s Word says about His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
Here is what God’s Word says about His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)
Translation: God’s plans and purposes are worked out exactly as He desires. Nothing will stop Him, and nothing will disqualify you from fulfilling His call on your life. To accomplish all that He has ordained in heaven and desires to bring to fruition here on earth, God chooses to engage mere women who have hearts of courage and passion to believe Him for the miraculous.
