Expectations

I can imagine there was plenty of downtime from the time the angel came majestically to Mary. I mean at that unbelievably high point in her life directly seeing an angel and being given a word straight from God, that surely bought her some time where faith did not diminish...or maybe seeing an angel with her own eyes made for faith that never wavered. However, if I imagine my rocky self, I would have to admit that a few weeks into this situation; I would have started doubting. Am I crazy? Did the Lord really ask me to do this? Are we delusional?? There were, after all, 9 months of time that passed before this God baby was even going to show His little face. I just wonder if there were days when there was nothing miraculous happening that she started to wonder if this was all real?

Coupled with her possible doubt is the anticipation of this delivery date. Surely, this is going to be one for the books. I can't speculate her expectations for this moment, but I imagine she would assume it would be out of the ordinary. All along the way, around every corner expecting there to be something proving this child is Emmanuel. Yet, around every corner He keeps meeting the ordinary...unexpectedly showing up on the lowest of levels.

Mary must have been sorely disappointed that this great birthday was taking place among the stinch of a barn...I wonder if that made her doubt who He really was. Or, I wonder if she felt like she had somehow let God down by allowing His Son to be born in a manger?

On both accounts, she would be wrong. This was completely her God's plan...her son was the coming Christ and it was not some kind of epic fail that He was born in an ordinary way in lowly circumstances. Isn't that where He always meets us?

On a normal life standard, haven't we been here before? We feel like the Lord has asked us to walk something out...to step in obedience and we have an unspoken level of expectations for Jesus. If I obey, this better be good. Things better make a turnaround - financially, emotionally, something. But God, He sees the whole picture. Jesus needed to be born humbly - in a manger in Bethlehem for so many reasons but also to fulfill a prophecy from centuries before. Your story isn't any different. He sees your whole story. He knows exactly what you need - when and how regardless of what we think we are "owed" because of our obedience. He loves us enough to refuse to give us our ignorant expectations when it is His masterpiece that will blow our mind.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 ESV

Mary probably knew this better than me...although it was sure sweet for her Savior to send shepards and wise men to worship this baby King of the World. I love how the Bible tells us she treasured these things in her heart. Remember the little things the Lord gave you to hold on to, friend, and let your expectation die to His masterpiece.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 ESV