So, another friend of mine, (who I'm not doing the bible study with), felt compelled to get me a new bible. A NIV application bible. I'm a KJV person - I guess just because that's what I was reading when I became a Christian.... I've always though I should try something different, but never left the KJV because I almost felt like I was "betraying" something or someone by moving to another version. Well, I'm LOVING my NIV bible and the application part is really helpful in getting you to think deeper about what you have read. I still have my KJV and will probably always use it, side by side, with my NIV.
Anyway, my friend and I had gotten through the three "little Johns" and she asked me where I would like to go next... well, since it's that time of the year, I decided, we should stick with the new testament and cover the Christmas story. We decided on Luke. So, we are in Luke 1 right now. We break it up into small segments - share our thoughts each morning and continue this throughout the week.
The past couple of days we have been reading about Mary and Elizabeth... Elizabeth expecting a child after being barren for so many years, and beyond normal child bearing age. How the angel Gabriel came to her husband and told him she would bear a child. And Mary - unwed, virgin mother. Two unlikely candidates to be expecting....
Do you realize how much more you can get out of the Christmas story, than the magnificent story that it is in and of itself??? There is so much more to be told. Today, I learned about Jealousy and Pride.
Do you realize how much more you can get out of the Christmas story, than the magnificent story that it is in and of itself??? There is so much more to be told. Today, I learned about Jealousy and Pride.
Jealousy - Look at the situation from the standpoint of Elizabeth.... Elizabeth was expecting a child, and was further along than Mary. The Holy Spirit told Elizabeth that Mary would be carrying the Messiah, the Son of God... and not only that, but people would called her Blessed! Then, Mary saunters into Elizabeth's house (ok, Mary probably didn't "saunter", but I'm telling the story how I might have seen it from Elizabeth's perspective). Elizabeth's baby (which turns out to be a son), jumps for joy in her womb at the presence of Mary and the Son of God.... So, you are Elizabeth... FINALLY expecting a child - a son nonetheless, and in walks Mary. You are upstaged by Mary. Oh how wonderful Mary is with her "special" child... the Son of God.... Mary... how Blessed she is. If you were Elizabeth, you might think "What makes her kid so much more special than mine - I mean, mine's a miracle too, right?" "God sent an ANGEL down to tell my hubby about my baby". "And then along comes Mary - stealing my thunder". Elizabeth COULD have though that - but Elizabeth was much smarter!
Instead Elizabeth responded with Joy - rather than Jealousy at what God had done in Mary's life.. responded with elation about the baby that was to be the Messiah - the baby that IS the Messiah, the Son of God. She called Mary blessed - because Mary was blessed. The fact that Mary was blessed did not take away from the wonderful news of the upcoming birth of Elizabeth's child. Elizabeth was smart enough to know this. Elizabeth did not display jealousy at the circumstances in Mary's life - that may seemingly overshadow hers - she was simply happy for what God was doing in Mary's life. How God was using Mary for such a wonderful purpose. When I look upon the circumstances that God has purposed in my life, I need to respond more like an "Elizabeth". The plan for my life is the one God gave me for MY life... it's different than the plan He has for someone else's life and it's important for me to understand that, accept that, and yes, even celebrate that. I need to find Joy in what God is doing in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ - rather than being Jealous about what God is doing in their life.
Pride - Mary said "People will call me blessed". Was she being prideful? Was she taking the glory of what God was doing in her life and turning it onto herself? No. She was not being prideful - she was simply accepting what God was doing in her life. She was excited and sharing what God was doing, with others. When God works in your life, and blesses you though, it can easily turn to pride... Mary could have said "I must be special". "I must be so much better than you, because LOOK at how God is using me". "God must have HUGE plans for me". When God gives us a blessing, we can accept it, or turn it into something about ourselves, which then becomes pride.
I am at a place in my life right now, where God has blessed me. It's not because I'm special, or more worthy than others... it's simply because it's what God had planned for my life. My blessings come with heartache to me - as I'm sure Mary's did. Look at the HUGE blessing Mary had - but she could have turned it away because of all of the negative that came with it - the ridicule, the criticizing looks (for those who didn't believe she was carrying the Messiah, she was just a pregnant, unwed mother). I'm sure it was a hardship on her whole family... her husband-to-be included.
I've seen God work some things out for me as of late, that in my opinion are really only a God thing... God has taken care of things that I could not have taken care of on my own - and through the process, is working some things out in me. To better me, to make my walk with Him closer. It's not because I'm "special" that God has blessed me, it's because I'm HIS. My blessings do come with some heartache - but when I stop and think about it, I would have had the heartache with or without the blessings. Some things we just have to work our way through.... but I am VERY thankful that I'm able to work through those things with the blessings God has provided during this time of my life. I think with accepting the blessings God has provided, there comes a responsibility. A responsibility to be thankful to the one who provided them for me - remembering to give thanks. Also, to share those blessings with others.... maybe not the exact blessings that God has provided, but share the story with others and to somehow make a difference in the lives of others, maybe as a result of the blessings I've been given.
I guess it's appropriate that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I have so very much to be thankful for. Maybe I will share that in tomorrow's post though....
On another note - the Christmas decorations made their debut yesterday... have to finish that up today and get the house in order for family coming over tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Then Friday a friend and I have decided to venture out for some Black Friday shopping!!! I'm actually looking forward to it. Normally I would stay away from the stores at this time, but I have nothing particular that I HAVE to get, and neither really does she. We just get some nice time together and if it gets too crowded - we'll leave and go get a cup of coffee or lunch together! I'm just happy to be spending time with a great friend....and maybe find some bargains along the way :)
In Christ,
Charity
Instead Elizabeth responded with Joy - rather than Jealousy at what God had done in Mary's life.. responded with elation about the baby that was to be the Messiah - the baby that IS the Messiah, the Son of God. She called Mary blessed - because Mary was blessed. The fact that Mary was blessed did not take away from the wonderful news of the upcoming birth of Elizabeth's child. Elizabeth was smart enough to know this. Elizabeth did not display jealousy at the circumstances in Mary's life - that may seemingly overshadow hers - she was simply happy for what God was doing in Mary's life. How God was using Mary for such a wonderful purpose. When I look upon the circumstances that God has purposed in my life, I need to respond more like an "Elizabeth". The plan for my life is the one God gave me for MY life... it's different than the plan He has for someone else's life and it's important for me to understand that, accept that, and yes, even celebrate that. I need to find Joy in what God is doing in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ - rather than being Jealous about what God is doing in their life.
Pride - Mary said "People will call me blessed". Was she being prideful? Was she taking the glory of what God was doing in her life and turning it onto herself? No. She was not being prideful - she was simply accepting what God was doing in her life. She was excited and sharing what God was doing, with others. When God works in your life, and blesses you though, it can easily turn to pride... Mary could have said "I must be special". "I must be so much better than you, because LOOK at how God is using me". "God must have HUGE plans for me". When God gives us a blessing, we can accept it, or turn it into something about ourselves, which then becomes pride.
I am at a place in my life right now, where God has blessed me. It's not because I'm special, or more worthy than others... it's simply because it's what God had planned for my life. My blessings come with heartache to me - as I'm sure Mary's did. Look at the HUGE blessing Mary had - but she could have turned it away because of all of the negative that came with it - the ridicule, the criticizing looks (for those who didn't believe she was carrying the Messiah, she was just a pregnant, unwed mother). I'm sure it was a hardship on her whole family... her husband-to-be included.
I've seen God work some things out for me as of late, that in my opinion are really only a God thing... God has taken care of things that I could not have taken care of on my own - and through the process, is working some things out in me. To better me, to make my walk with Him closer. It's not because I'm "special" that God has blessed me, it's because I'm HIS. My blessings do come with some heartache - but when I stop and think about it, I would have had the heartache with or without the blessings. Some things we just have to work our way through.... but I am VERY thankful that I'm able to work through those things with the blessings God has provided during this time of my life. I think with accepting the blessings God has provided, there comes a responsibility. A responsibility to be thankful to the one who provided them for me - remembering to give thanks. Also, to share those blessings with others.... maybe not the exact blessings that God has provided, but share the story with others and to somehow make a difference in the lives of others, maybe as a result of the blessings I've been given.
I guess it's appropriate that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I have so very much to be thankful for. Maybe I will share that in tomorrow's post though....
On another note - the Christmas decorations made their debut yesterday... have to finish that up today and get the house in order for family coming over tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Then Friday a friend and I have decided to venture out for some Black Friday shopping!!! I'm actually looking forward to it. Normally I would stay away from the stores at this time, but I have nothing particular that I HAVE to get, and neither really does she. We just get some nice time together and if it gets too crowded - we'll leave and go get a cup of coffee or lunch together! I'm just happy to be spending time with a great friend....and maybe find some bargains along the way :)
In Christ,
Charity
1 comment:
Very thought provoking.
Post a Comment