Dave's Diary

Many of the key moments on our scriptural journey to Christmas are encounters between individuals and God (usually represented by His angel). In these one-on-one moments, the veil between heaven and earth seemed to open for an individual to see and hear the glory of God’s plan for the coming of His Son. But today’s reading offers us insight into God’s presence in a beautiful human relationship between two women of different generations, Mary and Elizabeth.

Almost as soon as she’d received the news, and well before her pregnancy began to show, Mary made her way to the one person she knew would believe her story, understand her struggle, and help her to navigate the minefield that lay ahead of her. The one person whose name Gabriel had mentioned in God’s message to her – her relative, Elizabeth.

Excited, frightened, confused and conflicted, Mary made the long, hot, dusty journey from Galilee in the north to the Judean hill country in the south. Arriving unannounced and unexpected was risky, but there had been no time to send a messenger on ahead. Knocking, she entered and called out “Shalom, Elizabeth!”

After the heat and glare of the midday sun, the room was gloriously cool and dark. The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the living space and from a corner of the room an awestruck voice replied …

Daily Reading: Luke 1:39-56

Somehow, what is confusing and disorientating one moment can come wondrously into focus the moment we talk it through with a trusted family member, friend or confidant. It’s as though the Spirit of God breathes life into the space between us, inhabits the words we speak to one another, and awakens insights and understandings … all through the ordinary and everyday joy of human conversation. That is certainly what happened for Mary. Her time with Elizabeth sparked a deep revelation and understanding of what God was like, what He was doing with her, and also what He was going to do through her Son (v.46-56). And Mary came to a place of peace.

Is there something you need to talk through with someone today? Reach out to someone who loves the Lord, and whom you trust, and simply bend their ear with what troubles or puzzles you. Don’t expect them to have all (or even any) of the answers, but trust the process and listen attentively for the voice of God in the space between you as your conversation unfolds. Perhaps today will be the day it all comes into focus for you, just as it did for Mary.

On the other hand, perhaps you are called to be that person for someone else today. In that case, listen well, and allow God to use your listening to speak to them.

Prayer

Lord, lead me to the right person today, and grant that I may speak and listen with Spirit-led clarity. May I hear Your gentle whisper in the space between us through our words and silences, and so come to a deeper revelation and understanding of the truth. Amen.