In our culture of social media, Instagram, Facebook, IGTV, and YouTube, we are pressed to believe that if our faith is not celebrity status, it is not really faith. If our faith is not big enough to have followers and likes, then our faith is not enough. If what we do for Jesus isn’t seen on certain platforms, then we need to do more for Jesus. Celebrity status is not the litmus test of a life that loves and knows Jesus. It is not about how much others see of us—it is how much we see of God. Mary is a great example of a life of faith. Before anyone knew her name, Mary knew and saw God.
Mary did not have celebrity status at this point. No one knew Mary, yet Mary knew God. Mary knew God with the depth of her being. She knew God and could say, “Let it be to me according to your word.” She praises God with a song in Luke 1:46–55, proclaiming who he is and what he has done. She sings of his justice, his faithfulness, and his sight of the poor and lowly. She believes and knows that God sees her. God sees Mary, and Mary sees God. No one knew her, but Jesus did.
the gift of quiet
All of this changes very quickly when Jesus is born. King Herod hears the news and wants to find Jesus so he can kill him (Matthew 2:1–18). Mary is now known, and her son is a threat. Can you imagine what it would have been like if others had known Mary’s story at that point? What if they had known of the crazy, miraculous, culturally problematic pregnancy?
Before she and Jesus were known, Mary was given this gift of quiet and a space to deepen in faith. She was given a few months of reflection. A gift before the chaos. In that time she was able to confide in her cousin, lean into her husband, and deepen her praise and wonder of God. That time of anonymity was a gift of space to ponder, to reflect, to praise, and to get ready for what was to come. And what was to come would be widely public and incredibly painful.
unseen
We all feel the pull to be seen. We want others to notice us, our gifts, and what we have to offer. At times this can be a selfish pull, and we need to remain humble through confession. As we confess our sin, whether it is pride, selfishness, greed, or something else, God’s grace and mercies meet us. At other times the pull of being seen can be the longing to live as God has called you to live, to have someone notice your gifts, your mind, your heart, and your service. With so much competition, minimization, and comparison in our worlds, we are left unseen. Living a faithful life following Jesus does not have to be done on a stage or on a platform. Your obedience to him is not a show.
As in the previous question, I have labeled myself a loaner and missing out on interactions with others. I have chosen to use this time to be in God’s word. Up every morning for daily readings, even when that means getting up at 3:30am so my time with God is fulfilled before leaving at 5am for work.
Sometimes it seems like service is a competition among Christians as to who can be seen doing the most…it’s so important to have unseen spaces with God to keep priorities straight and a break from “selfie” moments.
Separation is a time for preparation
I believe in times of quite and still
You can really hear the voice of the lord
I feel you can really hear what he has for you
When you are in the busy life it’s hard to really tune in.
What a blessing for Mary to have 9 months and before to prepare for what God was going to do!
Jesus was inside her praise the lord!!!
Right now I am not working and I hear God so much
Through my joy and peace
Through me helping others by encouraging and mentoring through prayer!
My relationship with God develops most intimately and genuinely when I praise and worship him one on one without spectators. Unseen spaces are give God a chance to search our hearts and see us worship him in spirit and in truth, not in front of other people to get glory and praise from men! The Bible tells us to go in our closet and worship in secret! This allows me to tap into and hear him best and get confirmation and direction for where he’s trying to lead me!
Quiet moments allow reflection and allow me to see my wrongs & take them to the feet of the Lord. It allows me to see myself for what I am, flaws & all. It allows me to grow spiritually & nurture my relationship with God, so that I can lean into Him and be prepared for the chaos that may ensue.
Unseen spaces gives us the opportunity to connect to God privately without the disruption of others. It gives you the ability to be open, honest and it pushes you to surrender your all to him without the negative whispers of others . The anxiety , intimidation and competition will be released and be beneath us .
The unseen space is a way for me to get to be quiet with the Lord hear Him for myself. Turst Him deeper and relent control and sujcet my emotions and hopes to Him knoing that He got me in the unseen spaces
It is a gift to have a private audience with the creator of the universe.
Yes, it truly is for the ONE who created all things is mindful of little old me. Simply makes you want to give HIM all of the attention HE deserves and much, much more. To God Be the Glory. "Ps 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His Praise will always be in my mouth."
I enjoy quiet time with the Lord each day. It helps me to feel grounded in His love and compassion. I tend to focus on what I need to get done during the day, instead of taking the time to give God the glory He deserves. I need to set aside the time to be with my Lord and Saviour. Such love and peace!
Small as a speck, but I’m not nothing. I’m God’s little particle, in him willing to sit still and know or get up and go!