Luke 1:39-57
There are days when all I want to do is run; run away from the things that are bringing me down and run to that which will make it better. Unfortunately running away is not always an option. However, running to something or someone that will help make things better is always available.
I often think about Mary's situation. According to what we have in the Gospels, Mary was an unwed teenager who had gotten pregnant in a time when the penalty for that combination was death by stoning. When I try to imagine what being in that situation was like, whatever I'm going through in my life doesn't seem to be as bad.
Mary knew she was in trouble, probably even feared for her life. But she was pregnant, and there was no running away from that. Instead she chose to get away for a while and, as today's passage tells us, she "went with haste" to visit a close relative, Elizabeth. While with her, Mary came to accept that she is with child as much as she came to the realization that her child is destined for greatness.
Mary could not run away from the inevitable. But by running to a place where she could find peace and be given the time she needed to accept her situation, she was able to move forward to do what was necessary.
I can't tell you how many times I've been in the same place Mary was in today's passage; stuck, unable to go back, unsure about moving forward. In just as many times as I've been in that situation I've been able to find the inner strength to move forward and do what was necessary as well, and I've done so with and through the help of my God and the people around me.
There are people who want to get us through whatever is hurting us. All we need to do is make haste and get ourselves to them.
No comments:
Post a Comment