July 1 Out of Comfort, Into Conflict

Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
 
THIS verse always stops me in my “tracks” so to speak. I know, it doesn’t sound like much, but it is very much.
     At Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s home Mary is in a very safe place. Elizabeth totally understands sudden, miraculous pregnancy Mary is experiencing. The same thing has happened to Elizabeth! Zechariah, too, knows as Mary does what it is like to hear from and speak to an angel. They understand! Mary’s growing tummy is not a threat to them. The faithful couple and the faithful virgin are walking the same road with their God. They are certainly finding comfort, strength and assurance in each other.
     But when she goes home, this changes for Mary. The whispers will start and grow to shouts of condemnation. Questions will be asked. “Who is the father of your baby? Why have you disgraced your family in such a way?” Of course, she can only answer with the truth, but certainly no one will believe her. Why not just stay with Elizabeth?
     Why not? Sounds good, but it won’t be good. That’s not what God wants her to do. Mary has to go home to marry Joseph.
     Here is one of the first steps of faith the virgin mother of our Lord takes. She can stay with what she knows in comfort. Or she can step forward into God’s plan for her life.
     How will she have the strength to go down that road of uncertainty? How will she trust God? He has given her a mission but not a clear picture of everything she would encounter and endure. In truth, she needs that humility she mentioned earlier to believe God is in control of her life.
     You need it, too. God loves you. And he wants you to grow deeper in love with him. To do so, you need to let go of your fears and “comfort” to come to trust God as you journey down paths of uncertainty with God leading the way.
     You may “like” where you are—even if it’s harmful to you because you know the place. In a way, it’s safe for you. But God wants you to let go of yourself and hold on to him. That’s where Mary is going—down the pathway with God because he has called her. Yes, this is moment, indeed, is “very much”.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for calling me, for leading me and for drawing me closer to you. In Jesus’ saving grace I pray, amen.