In this culture, children were EVERYTHING
Not being a mother would have been EXTREMELY DIFFICULT for Elizabeth
In this culture — Being a mother was EVERYTHING
self-worth
Cultural value
We have similar things in our culture
Social Expectations
Cultural Expectations
Might Be:
Types of Job
Family
Following a legacy
Often, people fail to meet expectations due to their actions or lack thereof
Didn’t make the right choice
Didn’t give it their all
Wrong place, wrong time
But their fault
In this specific culture, when things didn’t work out, it was believed to be because of a SIN they committed
<<EXAMPLE>>
John 9:1-2
As he was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
This is something that would have NOT ONLY been whispered behind their backs (Zachariah & Elizabeth)
But something they would have thought about themselves
Especially Elizabeth
The first thing we learn about them is this…
Luke 1
6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
This is a real HUMAN STORY because sometimes LIFE IS JUST HARD
Nobody’s fault
Nobody did anything wrong
Zachariah and Elizabeth were not just GOOD; they were RIGHTEOUS
They were model believers
They did all the right things
And God took notice
This series is called:
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?
Really a series on PERSPECTIVE
Last week…
We are living in God’s story, and HE is inviting us to take part
Christmas is an invitation to see from God’s perspective
This is important to keep in mind
Some of you are going through a really difficult time right now in your life
Maybe it is a consequence of bad decisions
But it could just be because life is hard
Now we have two responses to this
Culture’s Response:
You just have to WILL yourself to a Better place
THINK POSITIVE
GOOD VIBES
WHAT YOU PUT OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE, YOU WILL GET BACK
Sounds really good, but how does that actually work?
IT DOESN’T
What is the ROOT of this?
Sounds like…
This is all about me, what I want, and how I can achieve all that I desire
My story
God can be a part of my story, but it’s my story
If you want to take control of your own story, then you must also take responsibility for the outcome
That’s a pressure we’re not meant to handle
There is another response option…
The Christian Response:
I am WILLING to be a part of God’s story, no matter what form that may take
This is a scary prayer
Scary in TWO ways:
1: It means that I am not in control, and I know it
Desire for control is one of the most profound and harmful issues we face
Our flesh has programmed us for self-reliance
That is what we come from the womb trying to do
Feels like it is going against our very nature
So many of our problems stem from trying to control our lives
2: It means that I am surrendering my life to God, even the really difficult, hurtful, disappointing parts
This is what Zachariah and Elizabeth model for us
They didn’t serve God when it was
Convenient
According to their plan
Trying to get their way
etc
They continued to be a part of GOD’S STORY
And he invited them into it… it is a HUGE WAY
I’m calling this message:
Do You See God Preparing A Way?
You can look at your struggle as
A punishment
A Curse
A Heartbreak
A Failure
OR
AN OPPORTUNITY
Zachariah and Elizabeth’s story teaches us:
Struggles prepare the way
Hardships prepare the way
Disappointment prepares the way
Heartbreak prepares the way
Your struggles will either prepare you or own you
So many of us want the “Zachariah and Elizabeth” ending without the journey
the journey is the only way to get that ending
The ending you get is the direction you take
That means…
What you are doing NOW matters
How you are living NOW matters
How you are thinking NOW matters
When God Prepares a way, it’s always to something better, even if the way to get there seems difficult
I love what The actor said in the video
Elizabeth prepared a way for many, just like her son would prepare the way for Jesus
That’s the point of all this
Allowing God to use your hardships to prepare the way for others
It’s a cycle God has and CONTINUES TO USE
Luke 1
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us
79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
How can God use your struggles to prepare you for what’s next?
How can God use your struggles to help prepare someone else?
Do you see God Preparing a way?