How to Wait to Give Birth to Hope not Worry

Nobody has ever said that waiting would be easy.

And, honestly, I've never found it to be.

Waiting unleashes worry that winds its fingers of fear like a noose around my neck so that I can only cry out for a cord of hope.

It can set anxiety on fire till I wake up in a sweat dreaming of the worst case scenario, the dreaded diagnosis, or the debilitating state of affairs.

The uncertain can attempt to undermine the most sure purpose.

The unplanned can aim to undo the most perfect schedule.

The unknown can aspire to unravel the most secure person.

If one has no hope to turn to, no Saviour to trust.

In times of waiting we turn back through the pages of history and read how hope was made a reality in the days of our lives in the most astonishing way.

When Mary was visited by the angel at first she was greatly troubled and uncertain that what was told her could possibly be God's purpose for her.

"How can this be?"

She was doubtful.

She was betrothed to Joseph and marriage would come before the child was her perfectly laid out plan.

"I am a virgin?"

She was skeptical.

She was secure in the Jewish traditions but this announcement that she would bear a child and He would be the very Son of God had never been known to another woman. The impossible was not only unknown it was also unheard of.

She was incredulous.

It was all a mystery.

God chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 

 "Nothing is impossible with God."

God chose a slip of a girl to bring about His gracious plan of salvation.

He placed in her heart the desire to surrender and in her womb the Deliver who would save her.

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord . . ."

She was willing.

And then the waiting began.

I can't imagine the doubt and discouragement that may have mingled with the expectant hope for nine months. How do you prepare your heart to give birth to Immanuel?

How do you silence the fears and slay the dragons that threaten to destroy the hope you've been given?

How do you keep the fears at bay when your are waiting to give birth to the Holy One?

Is it not in trusting? 

" . . . let it be to me according to your word."

She had faith.

In trusting her doubt was turned to praise and her discouragement was turned to confidence in the Almighty, the holy and merciful God.

In beautiful yielding to His ways, she was blessed to bring forth, bear down and deliver the One who would deliver her. 

"For whatever was written in former days 

was written for our instruction, 

that through endurance and 

through the encouragement of the Scriptures

 we might have hope."

The mystery was made known to us that we may be secure in the person of Christ.

The mystery was planned before the foundation of the world.

And the mystery never leaves us uncertain of our purpose.

The mystery is Christ.

His personal presence in my life.

***

So in times of waiting, I need turn from worry and hold fast to the truth. 

Trust that He who is the mystery, dwells in me. 

Believe that He who is my Deliver will hold me by His grace.

Cling to the hope that not only lies in the manger at Christmas but the in the mercy of the Cross.