Well-Seasoned

Luke 1:28

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Believe me, the time he came unto was neither blessed nor highly favored. It was a time when parents willingly sacrificed their babies to save their own lives at the decree of a mere man. The temples were no better. It was so bad that at twelve Jesus decided he was better off going about his Father's business as a grown-up. It was the time of saints and sinners. Let us lay aside the matter of a virgin, an expectant mother, or a not yet spouse for the moment. While you are at it, disregard the other people around you too. God did not come to make you like everybody else. He came to make you into the image of his Son. For some of you that means saving you, and dragging you along kicking and screaming the whole way. There is an old song that asks the question, 'Mary did you know.' The answer is simply this: 'no, she didn't.' None of them knew. If she had perfect knowledge, she would not have needed to think about these for such a long time. The text used the phrase "kept these things" and "pondered them in her heart." When you are done thinking about them and tired of puzzling them out, ask the Lord for help.

Could this be the new thing the Father is doing that you know of not yet. It takes some time to perceive it for the people of God. I need to get me some perceiving people up in here today. The ways of the streams in desert places are his alone. So also, can we trust that in his time he will bring them forth. When you are blessed and highly favored you do not need anyone else. If God is with you, you need nothing else. No powders, potions, or even baby lotions can do it for you. Back in those days the people thought the way to power and eternal life was anything other than God himself. It is much the same as they do in these times in which we live now. Oh, to simply be content with the presence of God. To only sit still at his feet like Mary, never mind her worrisome sister, and know that he is God. Even so, can he be trusted for he knows exactly what he is doing. Could it be that some of you have lost sight of that fact. For some, nothing else will do but to have God with us.

Now I won't go into great detail or even make a huge fuss about such matters. If you are in the wrong about these things, may the good Lord correct you himself. Suffice only to say this, you know how you do. Some of you chase after everything this world has to offer rather than having God with you. Some of you would be down and out. You would be dead, on the street corner, strung out on this thing and that. But how many of you know that in all your mess, the Lord is with you. Had it not been for the Lord, you might have perished long ago. It is relatively easy to get big-headed in that position as well. Half the Christian denominations worship her and the other half almost revere her. So do not get big-headed when your role is only to bear the Savior, not to save the world. It is very easy to lose yourself in that position. When God has blessed and highly favored you, do not get big headed and do wrong now. Do not think you are so holy that everything you do is right. Do not think the sun shines out of your behind. Get in front of the Son of God, I dare some of you, and find out your true place in this world.

Herein is found how to stay blessed and highly favored only to find yourself still a sinner in need of the cross. Maybe then when you get into the house of the Lord, it will be forever. Some of you need to do as that painting suggests and stop wrestling with your demons by yourself. Some of you need to have the Savior of the world. Have him come into the door of your heart. Have him change your life today. Trust and believe, it will not be the same ever again. Somebody shout 'bless you' really loudly as you would after a sneeze. Wonderful. The Lord is with now, so do not come down with anything else. Notice how God did not allow the angel to tell Mary that she was better than everyone else. Therein lies the temptation to add more on to your blessing than the Lord has already given you. Everything you need to complete the assignment is found in God with you. Now do not forget about the other women and men who need the Lord's deliverance too. Let him clean up the mess and distress. May his blessing also follow now and forevermore as you walk in his ways.