August 13, 2007

Only She'd Understand

Read Luke 1:39-45

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town..." vs. 39

Where on earth do you go when you have just been visited by one of God's messengers, told that "you" a nobody peaseant virgin girl from a dump called Nazareth has been selected to receive the gift of God, and given the task of bearing that gift into the world? Well you certainly don't go home. That would go over like a ton of bricks. Can you imagine the conversation, "Joseph, guess what I'm pregnant." "You're what? But we haven't been together yet." Mary responds, "I know isn't it great. God did this to me." Stunned and angry, Joseph might say, "Right, God...well its safe to say we're through." That's if he doesn't grab hold of a stone and call in his friends for one of the world's first rock parties.

No, you don't go home...they wouldn't understand. I guess the first place you go is in search of someone that might understand. In her divine visit, Mary had been told that Elizabeth, her cousin, was also now pregnant with a child...not quite as dramatic as a virgin birth, but barren throughout her age, she would most definitely have understood the blessing of God's gift. As Mary arrives, Elizabeth bursts with joy. The grace of God had captured them both and now they could no longer contain their joy. In fact, the joy is so extreme that even the child in Elizabeth's womb does a little dance. In the face of overwhelming uncertainty and a dangerous future...joy triumphs over fear and doubt. Two lives that had been touched by the finger of God and whose hearts have now been set free to celebrate.

When you've encountered God; when you've stood in amazement of Him; when you've humbly received the gift that dramatically changes everything (for both of them and for us it is Jesus) there is something that you must now do, celebrate. The joy is uncontainable...if you aren't careful it might even get you accused of being crazy.

This is part of the point of yesterday's blog. If we aren't careful, as the church we are quick to strip new converts of their joy. I have watched it, oops I've probably even done it. Someone is touched by the grace of God and we immediately place an instruction manual in their hands. They are now weighed down by rules and restrictions and never given a chance to experience a heart set free to dance, to sing, and to celebrate. Joy is the response of a heart set free. Joy is the response of a life redeemed. Joy is the response of one who has received God's overwhelming gift and now has been made new. That is why joy cannot be stolen by circumstance because joy is properly centered on a God whose loving, just, compassionate, forgiving, redemptive nature never changes. Joy is the response of one "who has believed that what the Lord has said to [us] will be accomplished."

But word to the wise...if you have been captured by such joy, careful who you tell. There are many that won't understand. Even those who call themselves Christians might not understand. Many skipped right over the whole gift and celebration thing and right into the instruction manual and the last thing they have is joy. No, first go find yourself someone who will understand. Where? Oh believe me, when you meet them you will know.