Life Disrupted, Luke 1:30-32

Luke 1:30-32

30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

                Have you ever experienced a disruption that changed the course and direction of your life?  Perhaps you were caught off guard by a sudden job change, illness, loss of a loved one, falling in love, getting pregnant, or presented with a rare opportunity that was unexpected? In the course of our lives disruptions, both minor and major, occur that disturb our normal, everyday lives.  Disruptions in our lives tend to create a sense of disorder, sometimes division, and a breach of peace.  So, how do we respond in the face of life’s disruptions?  Is there an invitation in the midst of the upheaval?

            Mary and Joseph faced a pretty major disruption when an angel arrived on scene, informing them that Mary would “be with child and give birth to a son…who will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:30-32).  Whoa!  Talk about life-changing!  The Prince of Peace’s entry into the world brought a great deal of disruption to individual’s lives.  Mary and Joseph were preparing for a wedding, when suddenly they are faced with Mary being pregnant supernaturally, prior to their marriage.   Culturally, it looked as though they may have gotten things out of order.  Mary may have been viewed as an unfaithful adulteress, while Joseph found himself questioning whether what the legitimacy of what the angel told Mary.  In fact, Joseph even considered divorcing Mary quietly so as to not create an even greater division in their community and family (Matthew 1:18-25).  This upheaval lasted beyond that moment with the angel.  It would have required these two “normal” people to choose to trust God with their present, their future, as well as the Big Picture future of the entire world. 

This kind of movement would have been very difficult, leaving behind normal life and entering into something new with a lot of questions left unanswered.  Even the answers they did receive were so full of mystery that Joseph and Mary were likely overwhelmed.  But Mary’s response to the angel, and ultimately to God, did not reflect any shadow of mistrust.  In fact, her response was one truly beautiful and full of wonder.  “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 2:38).  In the midst of the disturbance, Mary listened to the voice of God, heard His invitation into something greater, and chose to surrender her plans.  This path was likely much more difficult, laden with many questions still unanswered.  A path that led her into deep joy alongside great suffering as well.  And yet, her response also opened another pathway.  A pathway of peace as she took each step and moment as treasure, allowing the joy and the suffering to exist with her on her journey of becoming the mother of Jesus. 

Questions to ponder:

1)      What is your typical response to disruptions?  Emotionally, physically, relationally, spiritually?

2)      How does Mary’s response to God’s invitation affect you?

3)      Where are the places of joy in the disruptions you are facing?  The places of suffering?

4)      How has the Prince of Peace been with you in these places on your journey?      

By Leah D