The Trickle
I was reading in Luke and was struck by what Elizabeth said in chapter 1:25 …
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown
his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
We know that Elizabeth was barren and that was what brought her disgrace among the people. Each month she would have had to face the shame, disappointment and heartache of not being pregnant.
Through all of that Elizabeth remained faithful to God. Luke 1:6 tells us, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”
I wonder if she gave up believing that it would ever happen, because “…they were both well along in years.” (1:7) I can imagine her crying each month and Zechariah trying his best to console and encourage her. I wonder if they said things like: “We are faithful to all Your ways and serve You among the people. Why are you allowing this to happen?”
Even in their doubt they did not turn away from God and being obedient to follow Him.
So, getting back to what struck me:
“In these days” : what days? Days of too many years gone by? Days of hoping for the promise to happen gone? Was it simply the calendar?
“he has shown his favor”: we know that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
”taken away my disgrace among the people.” I wonder that as she celebrated friends and family having their babies, if her heart took a minute to grieve, while smiling and laughing at the antics of a newborn. I wonder if she settled into the reality of never getting pregnant? OR…
I wonder if the barrenness wore away at her in some small way. Much like the river that created the Grand Canyon. Year after year the river just eroded the rock away.
I don’t know about you and your life’s experiences but I know that I have been faithful and served God, my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, my church (insert all the things here) and still held onto shame and disgrace.
The trickling of unchecked mindsets and thoughts that allows shame, disgrace, fear, doubt (etc) will erode the foundation of who we are in God. Much like the river that ebbs through the Grand Canyon, carving out a path so it can flow freely.
“After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.” 1:24
I wonder if she was sewing all the baby clothes while she sat alone and dreamed what the baby would look like, hoping he didn’t get Zechariah’s nose. Thinking of all the games they would play and traditions that would need to be taught.
I can imagine the pure joy and the freedom of relief from the shame and disgrace she felt. I bet she felt seen and loved by God.
I think of times in my life when God took away my shame and disgrace, how deeply I could breathe. How I walked a little differently, a little taller. I also think of the times when I allow that river of doubt, insecurity or fear to trickle unchecked. It eats away at my peace. At who I believe I am in God. I walk differently again, but this time it’s in an old familiar way. A way that tells me to hide, that I am not worth it.
And I think the more we walk in that way, allowing these feelings to continue to lie to us, the more we erode who we are in God.
Jesus came and died to set us free from sin AND shame AND disgrace AND fear AND doubt AND hate AND bitterness AND insecurity AND …
His cross means my freedom. His stripes means my healing.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
The abundant life God has for us means we need to stop the trickling of negative and destructive mindsets and thoughts. It’s walking in the freedom of forgiveness. It’s remembering and repeating to ourselves who we are in God, what He did for us and how much we are loved.
I pray that you and I will be like Elizabeth, and experience God’s favor and the freedom from disgrace…or whatever is trickling it’s way through your life that is eroding God’s purpose.
Have the best day, highly favored of God!
All My Love ~
Jodi
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