Something about the holidays makes suffering and sorrow seem more of an injustice than at other times. Maybe it’s the whole Peace on Earth thing…
Throughout this week I’ve been thinking a lot about Mary. About the joy she had and the sorrow and suffering she endured.
Each time I thought about Mary, I kept thinking how much God must have trusted her. How much God must have believed in her.
He had to have, because he’d chosen her not to be known, but to bear insurmountable pain and life-altering grief.
Yet God knew Mary…
He knew she would not allow Jesus’ life to be about her; not His birth, not His miracles, not His death, not her grief, nor His resurrection. God knew she would allow her life to be used for a greater purpose.
Mary knew she had to become less so that He could become more.
Mary didn’t have pre-knowledge of what was to happen. She only knew that her son was destined for greatness.
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33
Only God knew that the greatness would come through suffering…
Suffering is a part of our lives whether we are Believers or not. Life is full of sorrow. However, it is the hope that lives in us, as believers, that allows us to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Mary had to have had that hope. Mary had to have trusted there was a plan, even in the midst of what seemed like senseless suffering.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain… Heb 6:19
As I mentioned, sorrow and suffering seems more unjust during the holidays. Maybe it’s because we have this picture that Peace On Earth should be absent of sorrow and suffering.
However, thinking of Mary, who literally held the Prince of Peace in her arms, makes me believe the true meaning of Peace on Earth is when we can find hope in the midst of our sorrow and suffering.
I believe when we can find that hope, we become a little like Mary, and we get to hold the literal Prince of Peace in our hearts.
Can I Pray for You? My heart goes out to those of you who are faced with suffering and sorrow throughout the holiday season. If you need prayer, it would be my honor to pray for you. Please send me an email or post a comment.
Hi Beth,
My request is not for me but for my friend Eileen at work. Her husband Randy found out this past weekend that he has terminal cancer. It is in his pancreas & on his lung. He is to start chemo in January which will not cure the cancer but slow it down. Doctors have said he will live about a year. They do believe in God but I am unsure as to the extent of their faith. They have been married 34 years…happily. They do not have children and their parents are deceased.
Thanks for your prayers:-)
Heather
Hi Heather,
I will definitely be in prayer. Please let us know how the family is doing.
Beth, I as well will pray for Heather’s request. Heather, I pray that this suffering will bring a stronger hope & belief to this couple, which in turn will make this suffering endurable.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for praying for Heather’s friend. That is what the body of Christ should be doing. Lifting up each other’s burdens.
Blessings!
Beth