Day 8 – A Costly Blessing
Read:
Luke 1:39-45
As we approach the Christmas season, we’re reminded of the incredible blessing that Jesus is to all of us. In Luke 1:39-45, we see Mary just after she learns that she will be the mother of Jesus. After Gabriel appears to her with this astonishing message, Mary is deeply afraid and uncertain. But Gabriel reassures her, telling her that Elizabeth, her relative, has also conceived a child in her old age. With this news, Mary hurries to visit Elizabeth.
The moment Mary greets her, Elizabeth’s baby leaps in her womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” Elizabeth’s response is a confirmation of God’s extraordinary plan for Mary.
In our own lives, we may also feel God calling us toward His plan, sometimes at unexpected moments or in ways that challenge us. But like Mary, we are called to say, “Yes, Lord,” and trust that His plans for us are good. This Christmas let’s keep our focus on God’s plan for our lives. Even when it comes at a cost or arrives when we least expect it, we can be confident that God’s plan is always good.
Reflect:
- Can you think of a time when God’s plan seemed unexpected or challenging in your own life? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
- How can we support each other in recognizing and following God’s calling, especially when His plans challenge us or take us by surprise?