Together in Hope: How God Uses Others in the Waiting
Scripture: Luke 1:56
"And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home." (Luke 1:56, ESV)
Shared Days of Hope and Wonder
Imagine the days Mary and Elizabeth spent together. One a young woman just beginning her journey of motherhood, the other an older woman, carrying the child who would prepare the way for the Lord. For three months, they lived under the same roof, sharing meals, prayers, and long conversations about the extraordinary work God was doing in their lives.
Perhaps Mary marveled at Elizabeth’s calm wisdom, while Elizabeth found renewed joy in Mary’s youthful faith. They were two women bound by the miraculous, their shared experiences deepening their connection. One can imagine the delight in Elizabeth’s eyes as she saw Mary’s growing confidence in God’s plan, or the quiet moments when Mary offered to help Elizabeth as her pregnancy advanced.
Did John leap in Elizabeth’s womb every time Mary entered the room, carrying the Savior of the world? What prayers did they whisper together in those sacred months? Scripture leaves much unsaid, but it gives us all we need to know: God gave Mary and Elizabeth to each other as companions during one of the most life-altering seasons either would ever face.
A Parting and a New Beginning
But as the time for Elizabeth to give birth approached, Mary prepared to return home. Did she leave reluctantly, wishing to stay for the birth of John? Or did she go with a heart full of anticipation, trusting God’s plan for the next chapter of her journey?
Mary’s departure must have been bittersweet. Though strengthened by Elizabeth’s companionship, she was returning home to a far more uncertain reality. She would soon face the people of Nazareth and their judgments that would likely accompany her condition. She would have to talk with Joseph about her pregnancy, trusting God to work in his heart as He had in hers.
The long road home stretched before her. Perhaps she walked it with a mix of emotions—gratitude for the time spent with Elizabeth, apprehension about the future, and a quiet resolve rooted in her trust in God.
A Faith That Endures the Waiting
Mary’s faith stands as a remarkable testimony. She was a young woman called to bear the Messiah, and though she surely faced fear and uncertainty, she chose to trust God’s promises. In her waiting, she was not alone. God provided Elizabeth, someone who could both sympathize and empathize with her journey. Their time together was a gift of grace, a reminder that God’s provision often comes in the form of people who walk with us in our faith journeys.
Yet Mary still had much to face. Nazareth would probably not welcome her news with understanding. Joseph’s initial reaction would likely be confusion, even doubt, or anger. But God was already at work, preparing Joseph’s heart. In a dream, He would reveal the truth to Joseph, showing him that Mary’s story was part of a greater plan. Together, they would navigate the challenges of their calling, finding strength in their faith and in each other.
The Gift of Community in the Waiting
Waiting is rarely easy, and it can often feel isolating. But God, in His kindness, never asks us to wait alone. Just as He provided Mary and Elizabeth with each other, He provides us with relationships that remind us of His faithfulness and that He is always with us.
Elizabeth’s home became a sanctuary for Mary—a place where she could share her fears and joys. It serves as a good reminder of the way God often uses others to encourage us, reminding us that we are not meant to walk the journey of faith alone.
As Mary traveled back to Nazareth, she carried with her the comfort of Elizabeth’s affirmations, the sound of her prayers, and the hope they shared. Even as she faced the unknown, Mary could rest in the knowledge that God was with her and that He had already begun to make a way.
“There is no better proof of friendship than to help our friends with their burdens.”
—Saint Augustine of Hippo
Reflection
- Who has God placed in your life to encourage you in your faith journey?
- Are there ways you can be an Elizabeth to someone in your circle, offering empathy, prayer, and companionship?
- How might you invite others to join you in this Advent season, sharing the hope of Christ together?
Practical Applications
- Celebrate Your Community: Take time to thank God for the people He has placed in your life. Write a note or send a message to someone who has encouraged you in your faith.
- Extend Grace: Look for someone in your life who might need encouragement or support. Be intentional about reaching out and walking alongside them.
- Pray Together: Set aside time to pray with a friend or loved one this Advent. Share your hopes and fears, and lift each other up to God.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of community and for placing people in our lives who encourage us in our faith. Help me to be a source of help and hope to those around me. Teach me to trust Your provision and to rest in the truth that You are always at work, even in the waiting. Strengthen my faith as I walk this journey with others, and remind me of Your unchanging promises. Amen.
Encouragement
Mary and Elizabeth’s story reminds us that God does not call us to walk the journey of faith alone. He provides companions to share in our hopes, fears, and joys. This Advent, consider who in your life might need encouragement or an invitation to join you in the journey of faith. Together, we can reflect the love and hope of Christ to a world that desperately needs it.
