Guest Writer:  Debbie Wilson, Friday’s Luncheon Speaker

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was highly favored of God.   He even chose Mary to be the mother of His only Son.

Yet her life was difficult.  Very difficult.

If an angel called you highly favored, wouldn’t you expect  some “get out of pain” passes?   If God picked you to carry His child, wouldn’t you expect special treatment?   Surely He’d at least prepare your fiancé. 

I’m not sure what Mary imagined, but when she returned from a three-month visit with her cousin and told Joseph she was pregnant, he didn’t believe her story. Since their engagement could only be ended by divorce or death, Joseph looked for a way to quietly divorce her.

Mary was not living a charmed life. Imagine the pain of being rejected by your fiancé and accused of being immoral and unfaithful, and having no way to prove your innocence. It must have hurt to see Joseph feeling betrayed too and not being able to reassure him.

Since God set the bar on sexual purity, why did He let others believe Mary was sexually loose? Why did He put this couple through this tension?

God did, however, step in and stop Joseph from divorcing Mary. But the religious leaders continued to call Jesus illegitimate even in His adult years. God allowed people—religious leaders—to believe Joseph and Mary were sexually immoral, when they had shown extraordinary restraint.  After all, Joseph kept her a virgin until after Jesus’ birth.

Wouldn’t you think God would clear the reputation of this highly favored couple?

God Knows Best

Isaiah 55:8 reminds us God’s ways are not our ways. They are better. God did clear Mary’s reputation for those with whom it mattered. He also used this misunderstanding to benefit Mary, Joseph—and us.

• Mary and Joseph could empathize with those who doubted their story. They didn’t waste energy being offended that others didn’t believe them.
• Joseph modeled how to handle betrayal.
• Mary and Joseph’s faith grew. With each new challenge they remembered God’s faithfulness through previous tests.
• We benefit. When people believe lies about us, we remember some of God’s most highly favored saints were misunderstood.

Having God’s favor didn’t bring Mary a life of ease.

• Instead of having a midwife and a clean bed, Mary delivered God’s Son in a stable.
• Instead of being escorted by the king’s army, soldiers hunted her boy to murder him.

And when Jesus grew up, His scourging and crucifixion pierced her own heart. 

Mary definitely not a charmed life!

God’s ways are not our ways; they are infinitely better. Despite her trials, Mary learned that no problem is too big for God. If you asked her, she’d say the favor of God far exceeds a life of ease.  Looking at her life should encourage us when life seems unfair and hard.

Come hear more about the Life of Mary, Jesus’ Mother

Luncheon, December 16
Wednesday is the last day to Pre-Register – Register Here!

Get to know our Speaker:  Debbie Wilson

Debbie is an ordinary woman who has experienced an extraordinary God. Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie speaks and writes to help others discover relevant faith. She is the author of Little Women, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband, Larry, founded Lighthouse Ministries in 1991. Share her journey to refreshing faith at her blog.

WORKSHOP: OPEN MIC

This popular workshop is back!  It’s your opportunity to share a testimony of gratitude for what God has done in your life in 2016.  Don’t miss this wonderful way to enter Christmas week!