What do we have in common with Mary?
She was a young girl, born of a Jewish family. She grew up in traditions passed down for generations. She grew, she learned she played as a child, she grew into womanhood enough to become engaged.
And then, in the span of a few minutes, a life changing event occurred.
This young girl who had found favor in the eyes of the Lord, had become ridiculed, shamed and cast out. Her life turned upside down, everything she’d ever know was gone.
Yet she had a new life inside of her and that knowledge kept her going.
I can imagine the trip to Bethlehem. I can imagine that she would play out events in her life that had led to this terrifying trek across the dessert.
And I can imagine that mostly what kept her going was this thought…… “I just want to hold my baby and see his face”
And when she did….
Oh ….when she did see Jesus face, I’m certain that all of the snares and ridicule and uncertainty fear and doubt vanished the moment she laid eyes on Him.
We also, are lives interrupted, by the power of the Lord and His will in our lives.
Some of us have led very different lives before now.
Some of us have been ridiculed… shamed… cast out.. called names and had our lives turned upside down when we said “yes” to the Lord’s will in our lives.
And like that young girl over 2000 years ago, it’s that new life inside of us that keeps us going.
It’s the singular thought…”I just want to see His face and have Him hold me in His arms” .. that keeps us going.
And I know as surely as I stand here today that when we see His face, all of life’s snares and uncertainty and doubt and fear will vanish and will never return.
Her hope was and is our hope.
To be used of God and to see the face of Jesus.
May we all have the desire to say, “Be it unto me”.
