"No Stinkin’ Thinking!"

Text: Luke 1: 39-55

The good Lord knew young Mary needed a spiritual companion for care and courage. She doesn’t ask for "a sign" yet God graciously provided it through the angel Gabriel. ‘Your relative Elizabeth is pregnant! People said she was too old! Mary, Nothing will be impossible for God!’ We forget how lonely and isolated young Mary must have felt. Her religion, culture and time in history was unforgiving towards unwed mothers. Even death was a possibility. Mary couldn’t have been more than fourteen years old. Her pregnancy would be an embarrassment to her fiancée and family.

Our scripture tells us Mary hurried to be with her cousin Elizabeth. Scholars believe this trip was fifty to seventy miles away. This was a major trip. Mary and Elizabeth were extraordinary women of faith, chosen by God to bear children to lead a spiritual revolution which continues today. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and in a loud voice blessed Mary. God bless you, Mary! God bless you for your love, courage and commitment in the Gospel!

We are equally needy for Christian community, discipleship and blessing. Mary was not a lone ranger in her call! She sought out a like minded spiritual mentor and companion for support. Elizabeth discipled Mary for the next three months of her pregnancy. Mary gives us great insight through her example! We would be wise to seek discipleship relationships, spiritual accountability through mentoring and support groups as we bring the true meaning of Christmas to our communities! Lonely isolationism is spiritually demoralizing and self defeating. By ourselves we are prone to "STINKIN’ THINKING!"

Our culture and time in history are much different but the message is the same. Because Mary didn’t follow her call in isolation, the LORD blessed her in spiritual insight. We are taught a valuable prayer lesson. She blesses the LORD and rejoices in her dangerous and politically incorrect call. She understands God looks with favor on the lowly and humble. God sees us, knows our names and cares deeply for us. The Mighty Holy One does great things for us. It is God who scatters the proud and lifts up the lowly. The LORD fills the hungry with good things and sends away the rich and arrogant. The Gospel message is of liberating justice, compassion and concern from God. God identifies with the oppressed and marginalized, the outsiders, the throw-aways and despised in society. This is very good news for our people!

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and all Seeking people desperately need this word of hope. We don’t have to get stuck in "stinkin’ thinking." We can identify with the Christ child who had no crib for his head. We can pray as his mother taught us for justice and God’s intervention. Mary leads us through example in the power of prayer and praise, blessing and discipleship. We can be part of God’s spiritual revolution through this child born in Bethlehem. Nothing is impossible for God!

May God bless you with glad tidings of joy in the Christmas season.

By Surprised by Joy

A bit about the author:

"Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tender loving-kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.