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.
I have raised my family, know my grandchildren and great grands (recently had a third). I have worked and began a career in my late 30’s and did it for 32 years. I have helped with Rusty’s parents until their deaths. I have been retired for five years. Here I am in the winter of my life. I have been blessed with 46 years of marriage and still have my spouse, who runs circles around me. God has blessed me in so many ways and I look forward to being in His presence.
Unseen spaces are a gift to step away, to spend time with God without being pulled in a hundred different directions. These are the times to draw near and be buffered up. To refuel and gather strength for what lies ahead. Trust that God is filling me up in these times. He is preparing me and won’t leave me empty handed. He is also whispering His plan and letting me know where I am off the road from it and where I need to adjust. I, sometimes, before these quiet unseen times, am too busy to hear him. This gives me the opportunity to listen and adjust.
I think unseen spaces are the gift of simplicity. It also goes along with Psalm 46:10 of being still and thats where we really connect with God. When were able to be in His presence we can really hear where He is calling us and what He saying to us.
The unseen space can be a great gift to accomplish what you are called to do. We do not need to be recognized for doing they things that Christ has called us to do. Working in the unseen can allow us to accomplish so much more, not having to be in the view of the public and to be pulled to what the majority wants us to do or accomplish. Working in the unseen allows for Gods work to be done, His will, His agenda and not ours.
By working and accomplishing Gods will, our relationship will grow, we will be able to hear and see our purpose that God has laid out for us. This path will prepare us for our eternal life with Christ.
The space would be needed to allow her to die to herself and worldly ideas. In order to go into deeper with God we have to give up more of ourselves to allow his presence. The space allows the communication and connection in his word and presence. It enables us to have an open mind filled with peace and understanding which allows us to reach a new depth in our relationship and learning in to God in a personal level.
Space allows us to focus on our own views, beliefs, and values instead of being too focused on those around us or on social media. This can help us to find what’s really important in our own lives. Your life and the things God is calling you to do is never going to be the same as someone else.
As I was reading today’s study, I kept thinking about COVID19. Pre virus, my life was busy with a long commute to work. Now I am working from home and I have more time to study Gods word and build a deeper personal relationship with Him. Having all my trust and faith in God gives me peace. I know God will handle this situation with COVID19. I trust Him and I am not worried. This is the best feeling ever.
How timely… We are living through an unseen space. We are separated from our loved ones and our friends by a killer disease. This could have and should have been a time to draw closer to the Lord and instead I filled it with other things… Crocheting, painting, other things. Oh sure I prayed and I looked into His Word, But until this lesson, “what the women saw “, I wasn’t really seeking His face with determination.
I am so thankful for His love, His guidance. I am so thankful for this lesson, “for such a time as this”. So thankful for this time to reconnect and rejuvenate. Thank you lord
I’ve learned to read, pray, write, study when I get space. My focus is to get spiritually stronger and prepared for what God has next for me.
These unseen spaces, the places in between…. If only I sought you Lord with a vigor and a passion everyday. I would be so filled up with you to overflowing. I would be filled with the eternal and with the things of your spirit. Draw me to yourself mighty king once again.