Something Old and New for Sept.: Mary and End Times aka Waiting

 

Morning Glory

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was indeed a very special woman, but not eternal, nor super natural… but a young woman that existed in a time and space who grew up to become the woman that Father God gave a very special calling… Similar to Abraham who was given the opportunity to leave everything and everyone he had known to receive a calling… When I think about some of the lives of the people from scripture that Father God used and what they went through - it seems crazy… Each being called at a specific time for specific “jobs” to accomplish details, if you think about it; that may have intersected with our lives today in this 21st century… Were you inspired by the youthful antics of David as a shepherd boy as he must have practiced slinging stones or from his later in life psalms of praise to Father God… or by the feisty words of Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar or the cunning planning of Queen Esther, or the submission of Ruth… and there are many from New Testament, but I’m off script - again.   

 

Still, Mary, the mother of our Lord, had nine full months of waiting after her visit from a messenger of the Lord. I have heard and agree, that at the very moment she said, “… Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38  - the waiting started…

After the angel departed… Was there angst?  What did Mary do? Did she begin to second guess herself, especially considering the possible consequences of her being pregnant by someone other than her betrothed?  I wonder was dear Mary an over thinker? What did she do in her head - where battles are often waged? She was no doubt a remarkable woman, similar to many people Father God chooses to use… Noble and humble, obedient and knowledgeable and yet bold. She took a major step in faith, similar to Noah building a boat on dry land and telling others about the Lord’s impending judgement…For years people mocked Noah and his family for his efforts. Still, Mary knew Old Testament and knew there was a promised Redeemer King coming. Had she spent regular time listening to the Pharisees, Sadducees and religious scribes speak about a King? 

Father God knew Mary’s heart and what was in her head. Subsequently the angel informed her that her cousin Elisabeth was with child in her old age. Mary went to be with Elisabeth for three months. No doubt to assist her - kind of busy work, (to take her mind off of what was happening to her), and for encouragement and affirmation, (Elisabeth’s baby, John; lept in her womb at Mary’s voice. Luke 1:44), and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. After the birth of Jesus she did ponder things in her heart after the shepherds visited she, Joseph and Jesus Luke 2:18-20. Then there was the surprise visit of the Magi, and their gifts...

As a new wife and mom to be, Mary had a lot going on initially being privy to some astounding news… and she had to wait and watch her body change. After her return from Elisabeth, she was approximately three moths pregnant… I wonder did Father God extend grace as far as how she felt physically. Although, I don’t think so because Jesus was 100 % man… and so along with Mary would have to go through all that entails… Literally, the growing pains… (btw, Jesus was still 100% God the Son - while being developed as a baby…)

I’m not going to detail all that I suppose Mary went through with being graced with carrying our Lord, her Lord, to term, and being His mother… My thoughts are focused on the pondering she may have experienced during the nine months… Knowing what’s to come and the gravity of it all… Of course, most women who give birth go through something similar, but perhaps not to the same degree, given that Mary was carrying the Son of God. One’s perspective is surely different with such knowledge…

Similarly, some believers are looking forward to something huge -with the anticipated Rapture of the church. As believers many, (not all), are overthinking - like Mary; what’s to possibly come. Some believers aren’t even anticipating this event, even though it’s clearly in Father’s Book. We don’t know the day… The event, not the date is alluded to in Isaiah 26; Daniel 9,12; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3; 1 Thessalonians 4; 2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 3, 4; (I purposely didn’t give verses - READ the FULL chapters and this is not an exhaustive listing - just some scriptures). 

Something BIG is going to happen in a tinkling of an eye… How will Father God find you? What will you be found busily doing? While Mary couldn’t help being focused on the Baby growing in her womb, we have different birth pains that definitely catch our attention - sometimes… Sometimes we are lulled by trappings of the world, other times we are overladen with worries and cares, both take our eyes off of Father God’s Word and so we neglect prayer - communication/relationship building with Father God… and we loose Hope… We don’t anticipate as we once did… We grow weary and don’t give our Hope of Glory a second thought… Worst, we don’t tell others about Father God and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for sin and what’s to come as a result of that Gift… We allow ourselves to be distracted and simply go about our very own business - our willfulness.

Of course, as some wait, the onslaught of life happens daily -  2 Corinthians 4:6-16, but by the grace of Father God we are not beaten. Despite it all - the worry and doubt and trouble - we keep the faith. Like Mary, we ponder and more importantly for us we share our faith. We walk and talk about our Blessed Hope in Glory. This is what we should do while waiting… We share why we are not beaten down despite life’s circumstances. We explain the deep cause for JOY - surely being sadden by what happens, but Father takes those times and promises to use them for His glory… Nothing is wasted beloved - not one tear… Granted everyone has troubles. I have them, but by the Grace of Father God He is the Lifter of my head… and I move on… 

Obviously, I do not know your journey, only my own. Without going into needless details know that I speak from the experiences of  2 Corinthians 4:8 and 9 - in a first world sense, but Father God has got me and I will always proclaim His love and goodness and His much anticipated call for Home. Like Mary, surely there is much that I ponder in my heart - the angst… The whys, and how can this be… and the need for reassurance - sometimes daily… but I have a Hope - Jesus. Do you?

…and I just had a final thought… It’s good that we don’t have a clue as to when this long awaited call for Home will occur… If we did, so many would wait aka live and let live -  and not have a genuine longing for Jesus, (So many believers act as if they don’t have much of one now - They say and believe that being “good” is enough - not that being super good is it either - it’s knowing and receiving Jesus’ good - Remember it is HE that takes our place for our due and sure punishment-hell - because we are ALL not good - filthy rags=our goodness). 

Probably, if believers knew the day and hour of our call Home, they would not speak of our Blessed Hope to those who don’t believe and wouldn’t even have a testimony of a life that speaks of Jesus… Like, there wouldn’t be a witness of a changed life or a life that was impacted by Jesus’ sacrifice,… Because believers, sadly, may be living similar to those who don’t believe and there would be no difference, (like now)… They too, would simply wait til the last minute…  

Many preachers/pastors/priests, don’t speak of Jesus’ call for Home and our Blessed Hope - Heaven - let alone hell… and even less believers speak of it… So many more would probably be lost - going to hell as a result of this foreknowledge… 

No - it’s good that we do NOT know the hour nor day… 

Be like Noah - carry the proverbial umbrella from now on - everyday. Tell someone why you believe Jesus is going to call us HOME.

Soli Deo Gloria

Nina ☂️