can make sense.
Luke 2:1–7 (ESV)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Okay, let’s be honest; this is horrible. It’s a good thing that Mary’s faith is solid as a rock. She needs that to keep going.
But there’s a marvelous lesson in God not sparing Mary from suffering. As if traveling by foot or on a donkey to Bethlehem while nine months pregnant isn’t suffering enough, then she can’t find lodging and gives birth in a barn. Yuck!
And it’s not going to get any easier. Mary will witness things that no mother should ever have to endure. Sure, her life will have its moments. Shepherds and wise men will show up to honor her child. She will know, for absolute certain, that all her pain is part of God’s plan.
But there is unimaginable pain coming.
The Bible isn’t about avoiding trials; it’s about God never leaving us as we go through them.
This is essential to anyone who, in anguish, asks, “Why is this happening to me?”
Trials come in all shapes and sizes. Even a small trial can be tough to get through if you can’t see God’s hand in it. The big tests of faith come, not from the biggest trials, but from the ones that don’t make sense.
For example, after running a marathon you can be in tremendous pain, but because it’s expected, it’s not scary. The same level of pain, without any explanation, might activate your church’s prayer chain.
This is where Christian fellowship can be priceless. When we can’t see God walking with us, there’s nothing better than a friend we can see.
This is one of the Christian roles that anyone can be called to. We all have friends. Those friendships can turn into ministry opportunities at any time. One minute you’re just hanging out, talking football or whatever, and the next minute, you’re on your knees praying for them.
When this lands, notice what it is. You are called. If you think you’re not ready, you’re wrong. Being a friend is being ready. You don’t need any instructions, just do what comes naturally.
Except being shy. Don’t do that.
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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays’ by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community
The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.
