‘Tis days before Christmas, and you’re in a shopping zone, yet this year, you feel strangely alone. The stockings may be hung by your chimney with care, but this time around there’s nobody for you to share. That doesn’t sound very joyous, does it? Well, wait. There’s a character in the Christmas story who might’ve felt alone, too.
Her name is Mary. She was told that she would give birth to a baby who is the Savior of the world! At that time, due to circumstances, it was not a peaceful time between rulers, people, and nations. (some things never change, huh) Now, if I had to guess, at times, she might’ve felt alone. She might’ve dealt with fears of not being accepted, and/or feelings of potential shame. But God promised her that she would not be alone. And, God wants YOU to know that YOU are not alone!
We are told in Luke 1:26-27, “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…”
At a time, in which Mary is visited by an Angel, and told that she’s pregnant, as a virgin, she finds out that her cousin, Elizabeth, is expecting, too.
“…at that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 1:39-41 NIV
This year, God nudged me and showed me something I hadn’t noticed before. At the same time that Mary was embarking on a difficult 9 month task, she was given the gift of a family member walking a similar journey with her. I wonder if they shared stories with each other? Talked about their experiences? Shed tears? Shared joys? See, God always makes a way.
Are you feeling alone? Remember, like Mary, you are NOT alone. Your journey is not meant to be traveled by yourself. Look around. Look through your phone contacts. Look up. Who is the Elizabeth that God has placed in your life? Who is someone who has either, “been there before”, or “is there” now?
Emmaneul. God with us. Go make a difference. And always, Run By Faith.
TommyRunByFaith 