Change is hard. Even good change brings a certain level of uncertainty. Transitions in school, changes at work, even a move to a new home—they all have the potential to hijack our composure simply because there is no way to anticipate their ultimate impact on our lives.
Hope is present during these times, but it often gets overshadowed by anxiety. How will I adjust? Will my kids be okay? Is this the right decision? What if everything goes wrong? It’s so easy for our minds to jump straight to the complications that we often miss the joy that comes from simple trust.
We can find hope for these circumstances from Mary’s story.
What happened to her had never happened before and would never happen again.
The angel said to 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 holy. (Luke 1:35)
Though this was good news for humanity, it had the potential to be disastrous for Mary. Just think of the implications. Who would believe a virgin could conceive? What would her parents think? Would Joseph still marry her? Would her community reject her? If the worst happened, where would she live? How would she protect this most precious child?
Amazingly, she gave voice to none of these worries. Her only question was one of logistics: “How can this be since I am a virgin?”(vs. 34) Once the angel explained the how, Mary readily accepted the rest. In spite of the uncertainty that surrounded this incredible change in circumstance, Mary chose to trust: “Let it be with me according to your word.”(vs. 38)
She trusted God to take care of all the details that were out of her control. We can do the same.
If you’re going through a time of change right now and you’re overwhelmed with what could happen or what might end up being, you can choose hope. Just remember that the angel’s message for Mary is also God’s message to you: The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid.
*Mary’s story can be found in Luke 1:26-56.
This Side of Hope 