For I know the plans I have for you.
In anticipation of Christmas, Cameron and I are taking turns this month putting ourselves in Mary’s shoes and exploring the Christmas story from her POV.
One of the things that always strikes me is the complicated situation Mary found herself in: pregnant before marriage.
In our day and age, it is often frowned upon, but in Mary’s time, it could’ve meant the death penalty for her (Leviticus 20:10)!
What’s even worse is that Mary didn’t have sex before marriage! She was still a virgin. God had chosen her because she was a virgin, but now the world thought she was an adulteress. 😩
We see this happen more often in the Bible: people who are chosen by God get attacked on the very thing they’re called for.
Moses, years before he would bring the people of Israel out of Egypt, was told by an angry Israelite, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” (Exodus 2:14 NIV). That is exactly what he would become, ruler and judge over them!
Even about Jesus, people would say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” Matthew 11:19 NIV). At the same time, Jesus was in fact the only man without sin who ever lived (1 Peter 2:22).
The enemy will always try to attack you on the very thing you are called to be or do.
He will often use those around you to do so through their comments or critiques. Especially in this day and age, where people can comment on each other from behind a screen, the venom of hate and lies tends to flow freely.
Have you been discouraged, accused or mocked? Take heart! You are in good company.
Remember, it is not the words others speak over you, but the ones spoken by your Heavenly Father that determine your future. He says:
“For I know the plans I have for you […] plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
