Sunday, December 1, 2024
First Day of Advent
Perfect Timing
Luke 1:5-7 “During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old.”
This is the beginning of a long, sad story for a couple who loved God. Every day they did their very best to follow God’s commandments as they understood them. In those days there was no “if we want to have children” or “how many children do we want?”. It was a cultural expectation that you would have as many children as the Lord wanted to give you. They were a blessing, especially boy babies. Becoming a mother was a primary accomplishment for a woman…not much else mattered!
So here is poor Elizabeth. She has probably begged God for a child. She has probably felt guilt and shame over her infertility. She has been pitied by other young mothers, perhaps even made fun of by them. She may have even shaken her fist at God a time or two. At this point in her life, she has likely just given up and accepted her lot in life.
We all know the rest of the story is that God did a miracle. This elderly couple got pregnant. Elizabeth found herself to be with child, and not just any child. Her child was to be “great in the Lord’s eyes” (verse 15) and “He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (verse 17). Some astounding promises!
But have you ever wondered why God allowed Elizabeth and Zechariah to be tormented with infertility? Luke says they were “righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations”. In their understanding, God blessed those who were righteous and troubled those who were not.
Well, a few years ago, when I read this story for probably the 50th time, I did begin to wonder that very question. Why would God make them wait so long?
Here is the answer I believe that I received. Elizabeth had to wait so long for a child, because Mary was not yet ready. God’s plan included cousin John (the Baptist) being a contemporary of Jesus. If Elizabeth had conceived John in her typical childbearing years, Mary may not have even been born yet. Mary certainly would not have been old enough to conceive and carry Jesus.
Here is the ahh-hah moment for me. Maybe, sometimes, our wait is not about us. Maybe we are not waiting because God is trying to teach us something or because we must get some sort of attitude adjustment. Clearly that was not the case for Elizabeth and Zechariah. They needed to wait because the timing was not right for someone else. The timing was not right for Mary.
So, the next time you find yourself longing for something…the next time you cry out to God for this thing…the next time you are feeling ignored, unheard and dismissed…just remember Elizabeth and Zechariah. Perhaps there is someone else that will be impacted by your request who is just not yet ready.
Prayer: Loving Lord, in my waiting, help me to be patient. Help me to remember that you love everyone, and your timing is perfectfor us all. Amen
Brenda Sanford
Associate Pastor, First Christian Church, Bellefontaine
and Regional Moderator, Christian Church in Ohio