Hope in the waiting…
At that time {during the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy} Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth {likely a cousin to Mary}. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:39-45 NIV
Out of difficulties grow miracles. Jean de la Bruyere
In last weeks blog about Elizabeth and Zachariah, we left off where Elizabeth became pregnant, though older. Though Elizabeth did not know details, Zechariah had been told by an angel that they would have a son to be named “John” and that that child would prepare the people for the coming Lord. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Mary visits her, and Elizabeth’s unborn child leaps at Mary’s voice, recognizing the presence of the future Lord in her womb. Elizabeth spontaneously and joyfully prophesies about Mary’s child, expressing hope for both children as Elizabeth anticipates her child’s birth after years of infertility. What a wonderful time for the two women to celebrate miracles!
Those who face difficult pregnancies know the anxiety that comes with uncertainty. Elizabeth, being older, would have approached her pregnancy with cautious anticipation, much like couples today who wait to share news of a high-risk pregnancy until it's more certain. Even today, a couple experiencing a high-risk pregnancy will often wait until many months have passed. Just as Mary’s visit encouraged Elizabeth, today’s high risk pregnancy couples are encouraged by prenatal checkups indicating all is going well. As the due date nears and the baby’s survival becomes likely, anticipation shifts to optimism, making the final stretch an especially joyful time of expectant hope.
Reflect back on your life. Where have you seen cautious anticipation turn into full blown hope? Recall the joy and thank God for providing hope!