Blessed Belief

Every Christmas I feel like there’s a different aspect to the Christmas story that stands out. Last year, to truly celebrate the day that he came, to die, to save my life. This year, I can’t get the verse Luke 1:45 out of my head: “ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.”

 Now, let’s think about that for a minute. How good are we at believing the crazy, preposterous, and impossible things that God says he wants to do through us? It’s as if Jesus delights in having the supernatural birthed through us. I know that there have been more than a few hopes and dreams, prayers and things that I have been excited to see take place...and then let die out, doubt that that’s what I heard, forget His promises. It’s like at times I’ve thought that maybe somehow God decided to change His mind. How utterly ridiculous it sounds when I put it that way.

I’ve been house sitting this week, which is like a mini retreat because I have had a couple acres of forested land at my own disposal and an enthusiastic companion of the furry type to explore with, chasing squirrels, walking the paths less traveled, discovering all that moss and trees can offer. Damp Oregon forests are a happy place. On one such walk, I came upon a structure, uninhabited and half completed. It was the perfect setting for a romantic cabin in the woods. Structurally sound and of good design. Yet, it stood abandoned and unfinished. One and a half walls up with two side-by-side windows. What intrigued me more after further inspection was not the structure its self, but the surrounding supplies laying about. There stood all the necessary supplies needed to finish the build. Windows leaning against the uphill side of the one room cabin, there was enough lumber nicely stacked and concealed beneath a now weathered tarp, boards beginning to rot having laid there for at least a decade and a half. I’m of the curious sort and rustled around the leaves and pine cones and found there even a box of nails and screws. Had I been able to (and how I wished I could) travel back in time, I would have been able to finish this cabin now decaying. I was left to wonder the story. Why was it given up? It just felt like a dream that died.

But I’m left to also ponder the times I’ve left the dream unfinished and abandoned in my own life. Sometimes it just gets lost in the busyness and distraction of what seems of more importance in the season, sometimes it truly is forgetfulness, yet sometimes I have fully known the Father’s heart for me and what He’s spoken over my life, and when it seems like it’s not going to happen, too far a stretch, I give it up. Let it go. Leave it behind. Abandon the mystery. Forsake the work. Trade it for something more realistic, easier, thought to be more doable. And then make excuses. Maybe I didn’t want it any way, maybe it wasn’t actually for me.

Don’t think that the supernatural can’t be birthed through you.
Don’t let the supernatural go.
Don’t lose hope.
You have all you need, ready, waiting.

How blessed you could be if you had belief to see it through.
He intends to finish all He has started. He will bring to completion all He has begun. God is crying out for you to keep believing. Awaiting to pour out blessing. He withholds nothing from us.

Friends, my God doesn’t keep secrets. His word is not like that stupid game of telephone. It doesn’t change and morph into what we think it must be. Hold fast to Jesus’ words. Even if it’s as startling as a virgin birth. As unheard of as birthing the Messiah. Even if you’re young and terribly inexperienced to be mom to God incarnate. Even if no one believes you. God’s word does not return void. It’s not like an empty cabin in the woods that never made it, but it may require a response from us. Believing is a good start.


Merry Christmas and happy new year of believing impossible things.