The land was rugged and desolate, the desert winds continuously
sweeping the sand across the faces of the two travelers. They struggled onwards
knowing soon, hopefully soon, the journey would end. The girl fought through
the waves of fatigue and pain that coursed through her pregnant body, nine
months pregnant to be exact. Yet here she was riding on the back of a donkey
headed to a little town miles across the desert with her betrothed husband.
This was not about a recent voyage through the desert. The process of this journey
began months ago when the Angel appeared to her that fateful day saying to her,
‘Most favored one; you will bear the Son of God,’ of all people why her, she
must have thought.1 Imagine the thoughts running through her mind as
she probably asked herself, “What will my family, friends, and relatives say?”
Her plans for the future vanished and changed before her eyes with the one word
from the Angel of the Lord.
We take years and months to decide and prepare ourselves for
whatever the Lord may want from our lives. Oftentimes we even want several
confirmations for our question, “Is this really what you want me to do Lord?”
Mary was not allowed to do a careful cost-benefit-analysis of this call. She
had no idea how long and where this journey would take her yet she simply said,
“I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” 2
Withholding nothing she surrendered her will, her life, and
her body, everything to God.
Journeying quickly to Elizabeth’s house her pregnancy was
confirmed in a most delightful way as Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed are you
among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ...Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to
her will be accomplished!” 3
What a wonder it must have been to first feel Jesus’ presence? In the midst of
the fear and hardship, there was joy as the Holy Spirit inspired.
The thoughts, the fears, the realities Mary faced were put
aside in that one decision to completely obey the Lord, in simple faith.
Knowing the uncertainty of what lay ahead faith overruled fear. As she faced
Joseph three months into her growingly obvious state he too had to make a
decision to obey the Lord’s instructions. His character and faith were revealed
as he allowed God’s perfect will to be accomplished in both their lives.
God has a call upon each of our lives; His will for us is
more than anything we can imagine. Our plans can not compete with what God has
in store. The journey is long and we may never know what lies ahead. The desert
storms may rage around you and the pain of God’s plan birthing inside of you
may bring you to your knees. With a child like faith we can conquer fear and
surrender our lives to something greater.
Luke 1: 46 “My soul
glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been
mindful of the humble state of his servant…for the Great One has done great
things for me-holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear him.”
