Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherd returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:13-20
Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a wife and a mom. This is why I believed I existed. However, due to a brain tumor I was dealing with at the time, it wasn’t possible for us to have kids. In the wrestle with my 23-year-old heart, I had to seek Him for a new identity… a new purpose… a new path to follow.
We are often met on a journey much like Mary. When the angel appeared to her with a message, she was in the midst of preparing for marriage, betrothed to a good man, who was preparing a place for them. She had made good decisions to set her life up well. Then her plans changed because God was birthing something in her she was not even aware of.
As I ponder this in my heart I have to contemplate: He has a plan for me, a plan that I had nothing to do with. A plan I don’t even deserve, nor did I work for. A plan that He chose me for, and that I will love even more than my biggest dreams could hope or imagine. A plan that merges my story with Mary’s even over 2,000 years later. And, He has this plan for you!
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
I am so thankful that Heaven comes to earth shining the light on our journey, sometimes just the next right step for us in His plan poured out in us allowing an opportunity to say, “Yes!” Mary embraced His plan, knowing that His plan was above her own. His ways were above her ways. Even if she had no idea as to how this could be possible, she said, “YES!” Her response, filled with awestruck wonder is so admirable and worthy of imitation. This young unwed teen, now with child, facing a world that would want to kill what God had placed inside her. The roaring lion of this world who prowls around seeking to destroy what He has done, who He has given, who He has called. This is true for us, too. He has put something in me. He has put something in you. You have been called by Him, and the world will want to destroy, the world will want to kill what He has given, but take heart. Treasure this!
… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
So when I realized that maybe the plan I had for myself could not happen the way I’d hoped, my wrestle with my Father through His Word birthed a desire in my heart that even if I would not be able to carry my own children physically, I could carry Spiritual Children in my heart. He birthed something in me that only could have taken root in the fertile ground of surrender and submission to a Holy God with expectancy of what was about to take place.
What will you treasure in your heart this Christmas?
Maybe it will take a treasure hunt through Scripture to get in touch with what the King of kings and Lord of lords has planned. Something He has been birthing; something even without your knowing. Maybe it’s something you have been believing for patiently, and even though, you said, “Yes,” you are still laboring to see life! Maybe you are in the actual journey with Jesus and getting a little weary on the road, because sometimes the cross is so heavy, and you just need the reminder that He lives! He is faithful. Breathe in the wonder of His love for you. Treasure this in your heart, you were established in love!
I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17b-19
Treasure the love your Abba Father has given in this story birthed all those years ago, so that you can be with Him on this beautiful mission to give life … abundant LIFE!
~ Shannon