Where is the Hope?

Having Hope when Life seems Hopeless

Each year we hear the Story of Jesus and His birth.   Usually my attitude is, yes, I know this story.  But this year the story touched me in a different way.  It put a perspective on the difficult times that we all face.  In those difficult times we may wonder “where is God?” and “why is this happening to me?”  

I often wondered if these thoughts crossed Mary’s mind.  It doesn’t say so in the Bible story.  She seems to take her situation in stride.  Is it her youth and naiveté?  Or is this just how much faith she has in God?  

Consider this young woman, a girl, really.  She finds out she is pregnant and not yet married.  Her fiancé says he will quietly divorce her.  Mary is facing the shame of being pregnant and single.  Her future is looking bleak.  How will she support herself?  What will people think?  Will she be an outcast of society?  Will she have to resort to prostitution to make a living to feed herself and her child?  Will her family reject her for assuming she has lost her virginity before marriage and shaming their name?  She is ruined woman for all practical purposes of the time.  

We do not read of Mary’s concern, but rather a Faith that God will provide.  She trusts Him and His plan even though she has no way of understanding what is happening to her.  God is faithful and keeps His promises.  Mary was exalted and blessed for her faith.  Through this difficult time, God used Mary for the ultimate plan of His salvation for us.  If God did this for Mary, He will also use our difficult times for His plans to bring us closer to Him, to become more like Christ and as a means of salvation for others.

This Christmas, as you are looking for reasons for joy but are stuck on something painful in your life, consider Mary.   What great plan might God have for you in your hopeless situation?  If you Believe and have Faith, He will use your difficult situation to grow you and bless you.

Hebrews 4:16  "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."