Have you ever experienced such a special and sacred moment that you couldn’t even find the words to talk about it? You just wanted to sit and savor it. Maybe you were inwardly processing all that had taken place, holding those memories close to your heart, because they were so special. Or maybe you were sifting through the events that took place, trying to discern what meaning it holds.

After the shepherds shared their story of how they found the baby King in a feeding trough, Mary held all these things close to her heart like little treasures discovered along the way. She didn’t understand everything, but she believed it with simple faith.

Remember: Luke 2:19-21

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. - Luke 2:19-21

The shepherds spread the word about Jesus, an infant King for the least of mankind to the greatest. But Mary, she silently kept all these moments guarded in her mind. Treasures that she would no doubt pull out and be reminded of when her heart was weary or her faith felt fragile in the coming months and years.

She pondered each interaction, each affirmation of her child who was also her Savior. Sifting. Organizing. Taking each thought, and looking at it from every angle piecing together this unfolding Gospel that would one day form a complete picture in her mind. One day, her heart would be pierced with the beauty of the story of redemption that she was chosen to play a small part in and that she so desperately needed.

She slowly savored every God ordained moment like we slowly savor a mouthful of Christmas fudge. As it melts in our mouth, we detect the rich chocolate with hints of peanut butter along with a silky texture that reminds us of a sweeter time. Savoring the Savior at Christmas makes the season all the sweeter.

Reflect

Just like Mary, we gather scattered revelations from the Old Testament as we see each one fulfilled in Christ and we ponder them, treasuring them in our hearts. And when we face our own season of silence, we pull out these treasures and organize them in our minds, looking at them from every angle, until our hearts are warmed and settled by these precious truths. These truths keep us in seasons of waiting. We rehearse the Gospel, that Jesus came for us. He entered our pain. This baby wrapped in earthly flesh feels our silence, he waits with us. Ponder this. Treasure this. Savor this.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, I savor this truth

Breathe Out:

You enter into my pain.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

God’s plan in our lives usually unfolds in the most unexpected ways, doesn’t it? Have you ever thought, “Well, that is not at all how I would have expected things to go!” God’s ways our higher than our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts. That’s why it so important to continue trusting that his perfect plan will unfold in our season of silence and waiting in HIS way and in HIS perfect time.

Remember: Luke 2:8-18

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. - Luke 2:11-18

A sign is proof of a divine revelation. God gave the shepherds a sign to authenticate the pronouncement that a Savior had been born in the city of David who IS Christ the Lord. He didn’t ask them to believe without evidence. This was proof that without a doubt, this was an unlikely king. What other king would be lying in a feeding trough for animals? What other king would be born in such a humble place? There would be no question that they had found the right baby that night, because no other baby would be lying in such a random place.

I often wonder, how did they find him? Did they ask around? Did they take along their flock? Would there have been a clue in the swaddling cloths and manger that they would know exactly where to find him? It’s something to think about.

There are many theories about this, none of which we can hold with confidence, because the Scripture simply does not say. But one worth pondering with wonder is the prophecy in Micah 4:8. Micah also prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem a few verses later in Micah 5:2:

And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem. - Micah 4:8

Tower of the Flock was a place. A place where a king would come. An actual place called Migdal Eder. It’s a biblical location near Bethlehem where Jacob camped after Rachel’s death (Genesis 35:21). Later, it is known historically as a location used as a watchtower for shepherds to guard the special flock that was set apart for the spotless, unblemished lambs kept for the temple sacrifices. In this tower, was a rough place where the animals were kept and protected for sacrifice.

Again, we can not know this for certain, because the Scripture simply does not say. But imagine if it was so. The shepherds would have recognized the clue in the mention of a manger. The first place they might check is Migdal Eder.

What If?

What if Mary and Joseph landed here when there was no room found for them to stay? What if Mary gave birth to the Savior who is set apart for sacrifice in Midgal Eder, a protective place for sacrificial lambs? What if swaddling him with cloths signified the sacrifice he would endure on the cross, his lifeless body wrapped in cloth and laid in a rough hewn cave for his burial? What if the shepherds knew exactly where to go and that’s why the Scripture says, “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”? What if these were not just ordinary shepherds? What if they were temple shepherds assigned to protect and care for the flock set aside for sacrifices? What if?

Did they know exactly where to look? Yes, because the angel told them: Bethlehem, the city of David. We do know God gave them a clear sign so that they would know without a doubt this was the One. We do know they were led to an unexpected place for God’s plan to unfold. A manger in Bethlehem was the last place someone would think to find a king from David’s line. This sign is unmistakeable. This was the child that is Christ the Lord. The Messiah. God himself, entering humbly into the world as a sacrifice prepared for mankind. A lowly King for the lowest.

The shepherds found baby Jesus along with Mary and Joseph and they spread the news and the people wondered. What kind of King would this be?

Reflect

Maybe you struggle in your waiting, wondering how God’s plan will unfold. Maybe you doubt his unfolding plan because it is not how you imagined it would be. In our waiting and as we witness his plan unfolding, our peace comes from trusting that he will guide us every step of the way. We watch for signs of his faithfulness with expectation. We trust the Holy Spirit’s leading. Like the shepherds, we hear the command to trust his plan — his sign — and when it’s time, we obey with haste.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

God, your plan is perfect

Breathe Out:

Holy Spirit, you will make it known.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

Getting good news when you’ve been waiting to hear it — is such a relief isn’t it? It’s as if you’ve been holding your breath and you can suddenly breathe again. The greatest message of good news we can receive is that God sent us a Rescuer. For those who were stuck in silence and darkness, a light is dawning. And that light brings salvation and joy to a world that has been waiting in pain and silence.

Today we see the Good News pronounced to a group of lowly shepherds just going about the mundane task of guarding their flocks. They were overlooked, on the fringe of society. They cared and protected and provided for vulnerable sheep. Maybe even sheep that would one day be included in the temple sacrifices as the ones chosen to be the blameless sacrifice. It is against this backdrop that the night sky holds a star pointing the way to the greatest news we could ever hope for. News that would not just be reserved for the elite or the religious. It’s news for the whole world! For the nobodies and the somebodies.

Remember: Luke 2:8-10

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” - Luke 2:8-10

Shepherds were the first to hear the announcement that a Savior has been born in Bethlehem for THEM, for the whole world! What joy and wonder must have filled their hearts when they were startled by a whole host of heavenly beings lighting up the night sky, as they were just minding their own business taking care of sheep out in the field. God came to them in their lowly state. Just like God came to us in the lowly state of a baby in a manger, this is something to marvel at. I think we often overlook the story because it is so familiar.

Reflect

In your season of waiting, have you ever witnessed a friend going through their own season of waiting, but then you witness them experiencing the relief and answer to prayer that they’ve been waiting for? And maybe you feel a little tinge of jealousy in that moment. They got what they have been longing for and you are still stuck in the waiting period. It’s hard to watch a friend get the answers to prayer that you’ve been yearning for isn’t it?

The shepherds have probably been overlooked many times. But tonight was different. Tonight, they were the first to hear and the first to find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger — a King for all humanity. A King for them! A King for us!

This is the best news we could ever hope to hear! He came and entered our pain, experiencing it to the fullest, to rescue us from the pain caused by sin. Our lives are messy. He entered our mess. He is the answer. He is the Good News.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, you are the Good News

Breathe Out:

I receive it with great joy.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

Sovereignty is not a word we use often. Gotquestions.com describes the sovereignty of God like this:

The fact that God is sovereign essentially means that He has the power, wisdom, and authority to do anything He chooses within His creation.

‘Anything he chooses’ is most likely NOT what we would choose if given the chance. His ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. Sometimes in our season of silence, we miss the most glaring truth because our minds are focused on the immediate pain before us. We miss God’s sovereignty in our situation because we are seeking to control the uncontrollable. Seasons of silence can cause us to be blind to the tiny messages of hope wrapped up in our suffering. Today’s passage contains a glimpse of God’s sovereignty in three significant words that we can miss if we don’t pay attention.

Remember: Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. - Luke 2:1-7

Do you see the three most significant words in the passage? It’s the first three words: “In those days…”. These three words speak of God’s sovereignty over time and history. They speak of his promise kept. They speak of his perfect timing. You see, it just so happened that God had chosen as part of his miraculous plan to fulfill the prophecy in Micah 5 in this way.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2

It just so happened that the census, that would be the catalyst for the fulfillment of this prophecy, was issued around the time of Jesus’ birth. Now, this was not a convenient time for a young girl, who is about to have her first child (also, keep in mind she has never been with a man). On top of all that, consider the fact that they had to travel, by donkey on dusty, rugged paths filled with many perils, PREGNANT! If that wasn’t enough to put someone into labor, I don’t know what would do it! But God was sovereign in his timing. The baby would be born in Bethlehem.

I wonder if Mary thought, “This has got to be the worst timing ever!” What is God up to? Why would he have all of this happen right when I’m about to give birth? Hasn’t she struggled enough already with all the gossip swirling around this young girl’s world, let alone the fear she felt at the anticipation of giving birth to a child?

She would give birth to her first child with no help from a doctor, no midwife or soft hospital bed or even a bed at all! She gave birth in the most unsanitary of situations. Doesn’t seem ideal. Doesn’t make sense in our minds. But our seasons of waiting and silence are never ideal are they? God’s timing is never on our time-table. He is always on time. He is sovereign in all of our difficult journeys through suffering.

It would be tempting to just not make the journey, to determine because it is too difficult, it must not be God’s plan for us to step into that hard path laid out before us. But the problem is, God’s plan was sovereignly going to happen THROUGH that journey. He had to get them to Bethlehem somehow!

Reflect

We struggle with these thoughts when faced with a tough journey mapped out before us while we are already in a season of waiting. We wonder, “Really God?! Why would you pile this tough situation on top of an already difficult circumstance?” Is there a short cut? Can we just pass? But, God has sovereignly ordained that path to be our journey THROUGH the pain. A journey that would lead us straight to Jesus.

An expectant woman staring down the face of her due date knows this feeling all too well. The only way out, is through. There’s no other option. When the first cry of the God of the universe sent in human form pierced the silence, I can’t imagine what must have been going through her and Joseph’s minds!

In our suffering, the way out, is through. God sovereignly ordains the path before us that is often rugged and dusty, but it ends with us getting Jesus. Trust his plan. Pay attention to the little glimpses along the journey. Notice his sovereignty in all things and see his care along your painful path. Everything happens for a reason, we just need to trust the one who paves the path.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

God, you pave the path before me

Breathe Out:

Help me trust your sovereignty.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

How are you processing your season of waiting? Do you silently ruminate, which then quickly turns into worry? Do you blast some worship music to lift your spirit? Do you call a friend and verbally process your experience? Do you turn to unhealthy habits to dull the pain? We all process our seasons of waiting differently.

As the four hundred years of silence break, Mary’s song becomes the first notes that ring through the cracks in that silence. Her words carry a hopeful message mimicking the word of praise that flowed from Hannah’s heart in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 anticipates a King.

Mary’s song celebrates that the King has come.

This young girl, whose world has been turned upside down, processes through praise.

Remember: Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” - Luke 1:46-55

Elizabeth affirms the Good News Gabriel brought to Mary and Mary responds by magnifying the Lord in soul and spirit because of his favor on her life. She is blessed, not because of anything she’s done, but because he who is mighty has done great things for HER. She personalizes this song first as she sees herself as a recipient of his grace, then moves out to how his mercy extends from generation to generation for those who fear him. Her joy is wrapped up in our joy at the coming King. In the remainder of her song she lists each way God shows his mercy:

* He performs mighty deeds with his strength

* He scatters the proud in the thoughts of their hearts

* He brings the mighty low

* He exalts the humble

* He fills the hungry with good things

* He sends the rich away, empty

* He HAS HELPED his servant Israel

* He remembers his mercy

Which one of these pronouncements of the mercy of God that comes to us because of Jesus, resonates with you?

Reflect

Sometimes the word of praise comes after the breakthrough and sometimes it’s part of the breakthrough. The Christian faith cherishes worship through song. It builds our faith and encourages our hearts in seasons of waiting. We rehearse the gospel in song, preaching to ourselves and each other in our churches on Sunday morning and in our cars on Monday morning.

We sing with Mary that he who is mighty has done great things for US in sending his Son. For the believer, the ones, who along with Mary believe the message of salvation — your suffering, your season of waiting, the pain you are experiencing — is the closest you will come to hell on this side of eternity.

“our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18

But for the unbeliever, the ones who discount and disregard the message of salvation as weak and worthless — their suffering, their pain, their season of waiting — is the closest they will come to heaven on this side of eternity.

“For Christians this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.” — Randy Alcorn

Which one are you? Do you believe the message that Jesus came to earth as a baby, to die the death we deserved because of our sin against God and to raise up from death to give us new life and an eternity in heaven where pain and suffering and waiting will be over forever? Or do you see the Good News as fake news? Just a crutch for the weak? Where you stand will determine how you see and process seasons of silence and suffering.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, you are the King of my heart

Breathe Out:

You do great things for me.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

You know what it feels like the moment you connect with someone who has been through a similar situation that you have and they’re truly able to say, “I understand exactly how you feel!”? That is such a sweet moment! Today’s reading gives us a glimpse into a precious gift God gives Mary in a time that I’m sure was very confusing and disorienting for her. God gives her this sweet gift of a relationship with another woman.

Remember: Luke 1:39-45

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” - Luke 1:39-45

Notice, that Mary made haste to visit Elizabeth. She didn’t waste any time. I love how the movie “The Nativity Story” portrays this. She knew she needed to get away for a couple reasons, maybe more.

1. From the talk that would stir among the people of her small town when word got out that she, a virgin, betrothed to Joseph, was pregnant.

2. Simply to be supported and encouraged by Elizabeth, another woman expecting a miracle baby, her first child, and a littler further ahead in her pregnancy.

Although Mary believed God’s message to her through the angel Gabriel, she was still unsure as to how in the world this would happen. And then I’m sure the thoughts swirling in her head of ‘what people will think’ was more than she could bear. So, for her to enter Elizabeth’s home and immediately Elizabeth confirms the message that Gabriel gave her without any communication before hand was a sweet gift from God.

Elizabeth confirms the message of salvation Gabriel brought to not only Mary, but to us and the whole world. John, the one who would come in the spirit of Elijah, leaps in her womb at being in the presence of the Messiah. Behold, when the SOUND of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who BELIEVED that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.

Mary believed God’s message and Elizabeth supported what Mary alone had carried in her heart. Her confession confirmed the reality Mary was living in.

Reflect

Notice that Mary moved toward Elizabeth. Our natural tendency when we’re walking through seasons of silence is to pull away from people. In your times of waiting, it’s so important to lean in to the people around you in your church community. Join a women’s group, join a men’s group, seek an older and seasoned person to walk through life with you and to pray for you. It could start simply as asking them out for coffee to hear their story. Who knows what God will do with that relationship!

Mary believed that it would happen and Elizabeth was a sweet gift from the Lord and part of his salvation plan through the prophecy of Malachi to encourage Mary’s heart and ours.

In the same way, God sends other believers to support and encourage our hearts during very confusing and disorienting times in our lives.

Respond

Seek out one person whose faith you admire and lean in to them.

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, you support my soul

Breathe Out:

Give me eyes to see the support around me.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

Have you ever been given a responsibility that you dread? Maybe you signed up for something in haste and now you are regretting every minute of it. But what about those things that are forced upon us? The child with special needs we did not ask for. The loss of a job that we did not seek. A relationship that crumbled and we can’t figure out why. These are the burdens that stretch our capacity to continue on. These are the responsibilities we didn’t ask for that challenge our faith. How do we steward these situations well?

Remember: Matthew 1:18-25

Today’s passage is a short summary of how Christ’s birth came about.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. - Matthew 1:18-25

Not only does this passage give us a brief explanation of how the miraculous birth of Christ happened, but it also gives us a glimpse into Joseph’s character. I love how the movie “The Nativity Story” portrays Joseph. Strong, yet gentle. Bold and protective. Responsible and tender.

The word “steward” means “acting as a responsible caretaker for something that is not your own”. Not only was Joseph a steward of the life of the Son of God, but he would also become his earthly, adoptive father who would teach the Son of God a trade, show him how to carve a table, provide for a family, and be a man. Joseph felt the weight of his responsibility for Mary and the Son of God. Joseph was being asked to steward and care for this child, which was not his own. How amazing that Immanuel “God with us” would be cared for by a simple carpenter. Joseph took his responsibility seriously.

And he called his name Jesus. Joseph’s obedience and ownership of a situation he did not ask for is a clear example of stewardship.

Reflect

What if we saw our seasons of silence and waiting as precious gifts to steward? Things entrusted to us for a time. Can you imagine what kind of shift would take place in our hearts if we viewed our season of suffering as a gift to steward?

Helen Roseveare was a missionary who was captured and experienced unimaginable abuse at the hands of her captors. She explains in one of her books about her life that she sensed God saying to her in her suffering: “Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience even if I never tell you why?”

Your season of suffering is yours to steward. Have you ever thought about that? How are you caring for your suffering in the silence? Like Helen, when we look at our suffering through the lens of stewardship, our thoughts shift from a victim mentality to a victor mentality. God must trust you so much for you to carry this suffering. How will you steward your suffering?

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, I receive this suffering

Breathe Out:

Help me steward it well.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

It’s really difficult to surrender in the silence. We battle with our intrusive thoughts about ourselves, others and God. We fight for control because everything seems out of control. Maybe right now you are experiencing this. You feel like your situation is impossible and there is no way out. You are afraid to surrender everything and everyone to God, because, honestly, you are afraid what he will do. Sometimes, watching another believer walk through a similar situation, can help bolster our faith and give us permission to relinquish control.

Remember: Luke 1:36-38

And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:36-38

Mary surrendered her questions and curiosity to the God of the impossible. Her simple confession: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” settled her heart into a place of surrender. Sometimes, verbalizing where are hearts should be paves the path to surrender.

Mary’s heart of surrender reveals the faith birthed in her. The God of the impossible works in miraculous ways, we simply need to trust his heart for us. The angel’s news of Elizabeth’s situation is a sweet gift to Mary. Obviously, they didn’t have social media as a form of communication back then, so she had no idea about Elizabeth’s miraculous conception. She didn’t even know the four hundred years of silence had ended! But God gives her a godly example of surrender to follow and bolster her faith.

Reflect

In your season of waiting, how do you bolster your faith? Again, this is where your church community can come around you. We need to remember God’s past faithfulness and keep replacing the doubts that arise with truth, but we need others to come alongside us and help us do this. We need a people praying for us and interceding for us when words are hard and prayer feels futile. We need to borrow the faith of a friend when our faith feels small. We need to go to church on a Sunday morning, even when we don’t feel like it and just hear the voices around us singing praise to God when we can’t bring ourselves to sing. We watch and learn from other believers as they walk through their own seasons of silence.

I have to wonder if Gabriel was planting this seed of Elizabeth’s situation in young Mary’s tender heart to encourage her to lean into the wisdom of this woman? We need people a little further down the road of suffering to point us in the direction of surrender. We need each other.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, I am your servant

Breathe Out:

I trust you with the impossible.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

Have you ever had so much faith that something was going to happen, so much surety, but yet you had no idea HOW God was going to accomplish it, you just had unwavering faith that it would happen? These moments are probably rare in your life just like they are in mine. The opposite is often true in times of silence. Instead of surety, we are left feeling shaken, unsure of anything. We flounder and falter in our faith because our eyes are on the situation we find ourselves in. Today, we witness faith birthed in Mary’s heart as she processes Gabriel’s message.

Remember: Luke 1:29-38

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. - Luke 1:29-35

This is the sound of faith. Now, what makes Mary’s question different from Zechariah’s? It’s the heart from where it comes. Zechariah’s question came from a place of doubt, doubting not only the message but the Messenger. Mary’s question came from a place of curiosity and wonder. Zechariah’s question was: “How do I know this is going to happen? He doubted God and his power. Mary’s question was: How will this happen? She believed the message and the Messenger, but was curious as to how it would take place.

Zechariah’s question was answered with silence, but Mary’s question was answered with a sure salvation.

Reflect

Our faith can waver in times of waiting. Receiving bad news leaves us troubled. Gabriel gives Mary two assurances in the face of unsure circumstances that births faith in her soul resulting in a surrendered heart.

* God’s faith birthed - “Do not be afraid.” With these words, Gabriel assures her troubled heart that God is in complete control and that she has no reason to be afraid at the angel’s presence or with God’s plan.

* God’s favor bestowed - The reason she does not need to fear is God’s bestowed favor on her life. This is the second time the angel pronounces favor (the smile of God) on Mary. Sometimes, we need that extra assurance of the smile of God on our lives in times of silence and troubling circumstances.

We possess these same assurances because of the surety we have in Christ. Did you notice the subtle appearance of the Trinity in verse 35?

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” - Luke 1:35

Gabriel resided in the presence of God. Day in and day out, for eternity, he has witnessed the workings of the triune God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The miracle that the triune God would reside in the womb of a humble virgin girl is mind-blowing. But the reality is, when God changes our hearts and we place our faith in Christ, the same happens to us. The triune God resides in us.

“…that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:16-19

Father, Son, and Spirit. We have the power of the triune God moving in our hearts and lives. This is what gives us surety in times of silence.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Breathe Out:

You are here now.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com

Have you ever experienced the smile of God? If you have, you know that feeling of God’s approval resting on your heart. A peace that settles deep in your soul that he is pleased with you, not because of anything you’ve done, but because of what Christ has done. The smile of God means living in his favor, grace and approving presence. Today, we see a simple young girl who experiences the smile of God in a totally unexpected way.

Remember: Luke 1:26-28

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” - Luke 1:26-28

In the sixth month, meaning Elizabeth’s sixth month of her pregnancy with John the Baptist, in a small country town, a young girl, just living her life, witnessed her own breakthrough of the silence of God being shattered in Gabriel’s visitation. Mary was not doing anything flashy or attention grabbing for her to experience the smile of God. Gabriel approaches her with a greeting and announcement of God’s favor on her life. She was living a humble, hidden life. No grand accomplishments to illicit the smile of God, it is simply pronounced over her TWICE, first in verse 28 and then again in verse 30. I wonder what her tender heart felt at this greeting?

Reflect

Have you ever felt the “smile of God” on your life? Maybe you feel more the frown of God than you do his favor. We live in a world impressed with accomplishment. A world that praises those who are successful at producing. Christian influencers and celebrities garner the smile of the Christian community, and many times the attention of the world as well.

It’s easy to think the smile of God is only reserved for those in the spotlight. But our Scripture today reinforces the truth that it’s not what we accomplish for God, what we produce for him, or how many people we share Christ with that warrants the approval of God, it’s simply his proclamation over our lives.

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…” - Titus 3:4-5

If you feel the frown of God today, look to Jesus, see his sacrifice bestowed on unworthy sinners. Reflect on the fact that your humble, hidden life is worthy of the smile of God only because of Christ’s blood applied to you. It’s not based off of what we do or don’t do, it’s a direct result of his approval of his sinless Son’s sacrifice.

Respond

Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:

Breathe In:

Jesus, because of you

Breathe Out:

I experience the smile of God.

The Journey

This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelsholistichealth.substack.com