Tuesday, December 13, 2011

God’s Blessings Abound

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”

-- Luke 1:45

What does a blessing from God look like? What would you expect it to be? Great riches? Amazing success? A bountiful of children and grandchildren? Wonderful health for yourself and those you love?

And yet there was Mary, pregnant and unwed, and Elizabeth called her blessed. Mary immediately traveled to her relative’s home after the angel told her she would be with child and give birth to a son. She likely told no one. Mary was obedient. But don’t you think that she was also afraid?

But the angel had told Mary that her relative Elizabeth, considered to be barren, was pregnant too. Another miracle from God. Elizabeth’s child, the Bible tells us, leaped in her womb when he heard Mary’s voice. That child was John the Baptist.

So what did God’s blessing mean to Mary? She faced the real possibility that she would be an unwed mother. She had to explain the angel’s visit to Joseph, who could completely reject her. She could be stoned to death for being pregnant and unwed.

Of course, those things didn’t happen. Joseph married Mary. And the baby Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room for them anywhere else. She fled with her husband and child to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill the child. She watched as those in power tried to destroy her son as he began His ministry. And she watched as the baby she had borne died a cruel and merciless death on a cross.

Mary’s blessing came because God found favor with her. God chose her to carry His Son in her womb. Her blessing didn’t make her life easy. It certainly didn’t take away the pain or the challenges. So why do we sometimes believe that God’s blessings on our own lives should come surrounded by spun gold and unending happiness?

We know that God can turn anything to good. We know that. But we don’t always expect it in our own lives. We don’t always understand that sometimes horrible things happen so that God’s glory can shine brightly in the aftermath. Look at Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery yet God used Joseph to care for His people. Just like Esther. Or Ruth. The Bible is filled with stories of God’s blessings amidst horrible happenings.

Look around your own life. Think of all the times your life has taken a turn you didn’t intend. What happened? Did you see God’s glory? Did you hear His voice? Did you see His blessings settle down on your life? Draw closer. Listen to His voice. Open your heart. Receive all the goodness He wants to give you.