When Faith Requires Surrender
The gospel of Luke begins with two divine birth announcements– one predicting the arrival of John the Baptist and the other promising the birth of the Messiah. Elizabeth and Mary, the unassuming mothers of these promised sons, were not merely tied by family relationship, but also by their eyebrow-raising pregnancies. Each woman– one unexpectedly pregnant in her old age and one surprised by pregnancy in her youth– was asked to carry an unexpected piece of God’s Kingdom Puzzle. Both entrusted with babies who would help to fulfill God’s elaborate plan of salvation. While John and Jesus could in no way be compared- one was fully flesh; the other was the WORD made flesh- their prenatal days were marked by a common denominator. As these mighty Kingdom players floated peacefully in amniotic fluid, words of prophecy were spoken over their lives. Before bellies had begun to protrude, before the first flutter of life had been detected by their awe-struck mothers, the angel Gabriel gave a glimpse of the plans God had designed for each child.
“You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord…” Gabriel told a stunned Zachariah as the angel painted a picture of John’s life.
“He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” Gabriel revealed as he forecast the Messiah soon to be placed in Mary’s womb.
Somedays I wish I were privy to some prophecy over my children’s lives. Surely it would be easier to surrender my clay if the Potter would tell me what He was planning to create! Or is it because of His grace that the Lord doesn’t reveal to me all of His plans for my children’s lives? Could it be that with my limited vision I would hinder God’s perfect plans rather than celebrate the unique mold He’s made for my offspring to fill?
Take a lookat the whole disclosure we find in the Advent story and imagine yourself as the parent receiving the news. True, John would be “great in the eyes of the Lord” (for what more could a parent hope?) but he would also be “a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the lord’s coming!” (Isaiah. 40:31). He wouldn’t win any fashion awards or turn the ladies’ heads. According to Matthew,“John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locust and wild honey.” (Mt 3:4).
Imagine being John’s parents when their child left home to pursue a life in the wilderness far from civilization. Imagine fielding the questions of well-meaning townspeople. “So, what is John doing these days?” (Uhh… hanging out in the wilderness, eating bugs and calling for wide-spread repentance). Remember, God hadn’t spoken through a prophet in 400 years. How receptive do you suppose the general public was to John’s message?
And what about Mary? While she was told Jesus would save his people, she was also told by Simeon the Prophet, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” (Luke 2:33-35). How’s that for a glimpse into a child’s future (and a mother’s painful destiny?)
Both Zechariah and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph had to confront pieces of their beloved son’s design that they didn’t like or understand. Don’t dehumanize these parents! Though our worlds are separated by time and culture, these parents, like us, had dreams for their sons. They wanted the best for them. They wanted safety, respect, and favor for their sons. Yet the high calling God had on each man’s life ultimately led to an end that no parent would choose for their treasured child. John was beheaded- the victim of a pompous king’s pride (see Mark 6:14-29), while Jesus died a criminal’s death on the cross at Calvary (Mark 15:24-40).
It took faith for these godly parents to surrender their precious clay to the Potter. They were able to enjoy the beauty of the mold that had been cast for their children’s lives, but with that, came dark streaks in the masterpiece that even the most righteous of parents would struggle to accept. Our call to surrender our children’s unique life into God’s hands is no different. We must choose to trust God even when don’t understand what He is sculpting. Imagine how the world would have been changed if Elizabeth had not allowed John to head to the wilderness (You’ll be safer at home, son. Don’t go!). Or if Mary had locked Christ in the carpentry shop so he could lead a “safe” and non-confrontational life (I know you want to save the world, but the world is such a scary place!)
Surrendering our children’s lives into the hands of God is a monumental act of faith. May we have the courage to do so each
and every day!
The Overflow: Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.–Isaiah 64:8
I can’t wait to see the plans God has for your precious half-dozen. They are growing into such beautiful masterpieces of His hand! You partner well with the Potter, friend 🙂
Oh! I KNOW! But it’s so hard!
This post is beautiful!
Your so right…we have to have faith in our Heavenly Father…he knows all….and it will be OKAY! 🙂