Out of Comfort, Into Conflict

Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
 
THIS signifies a major step for Mary. 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 Mary’s sudden, miraculous pregnancy. The same thing has happened to Elizabeth! Zechariah, too, knows as Mary the wondrous experience of God’s Messenger speaking directly to them. Elizabeth and Zechariah understand! Mary’s growing pregnancy 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 Mary goes home, who will believer her? Who will support and protect her? The whispers will start and perhaps grow to shouts of judgment and 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 “impossible” truth. Why not just stay with Elizabeth?
    This seems to be a good plan, but it wouldn’t be good. That’s not what God wants her to do. Mary must go home to marry Joseph.  Here is one of the first steps of faith for the virgin mother of our Lord. She can stay with what she knows in general comfort. Or she can step forward into God’s plan – a plan that includes great challenges.
    How will she have the strength to go down that road of uncertainty to return to Nazareth? How will she trust God as she steps into her home and greets her family and friends? The LORD has commanded her to a mission, but he has not given Mary a clear picture of everything she would encounter and endure.
    In truth, Mary needs that humility she mentioned earlier to believe God is sovereign over her life. You need it, too. God loves you. And he wants you to grow deeper in love with him. To do so, you must let go of your “comfort” to journey down “uncomfortable” pathways Be in step with the Good Shepherd leading the way along the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3b) – for his glory and honor.
    You may like where you are, safe and comfortable. But Jesus didn’t tell us to, “Get comfortable and follow me.” The Bible is very clear that God calls his followers to let go of themselves and to hold on to him.
    That’s where Mary is going. She’s walking down the pathway with God because he has called her. Yes, this moment when Mary returned home, indeed, is very much a crisis of faith. Will God grant his favor on her as he has promised?  
 
Prayer: Grant me peace and faith, Lord, to walk steadfastly with you,.