It was eight years ago but I still vividly remember the final weeks of being pregnant with our son (seasonally appropriate enough, his name is Gabriel lol!), and eagerly anticipating his arrival. What would it be like to finally hold him? Who would he look like? What kind of personality will he have? Will I be a good Mom? Yet all of the questions couldn’t diminish the deep well of gratitude I felt, to experience a long held prayer and word that was being fulfilled in my life.

I wonder what kind of questions, thoughts and personal promises from God, Mary pondered as she carried Jesus, the Son of God. She had radical, beyond logic kind of faith to believe the Word that was spoken to her would be fulfilled, against every conceivable impossibility and against all odds. (and so did Joseph, what an honorable and faith filled man he was, to stand with Mary, despite the outlandish story, the looks and being misunderstood while town gossips most probably said ‘tsk, tsk, tsk’!!)

During this 2020 Advent season, there’s never been a more pivotal time to confidently and eagerly expect the prophetic promise of Emmanuel (God with us) to be revealed in and through our lives, right in the middle of the mess and mayhem. He’s good at appearing when all seems lost and it’s past the time of breakthrough.

I deeply admire how Mary held onto the Word – literally and spiritually! She carried the holy Seed to fulfillment. Think about the profound and sacred significance of that! What has God seeded in your heart? That word or vision He has spoken and is even in your DNA, may not look like it will come to pass. It may even seem beyond all hope and crazy. Yet God is never intimidated by impossibilities! Miracles are His love language, impossibilities His domain!

Be convinced, confident and persuaded of what God has spoken to you. Do not grow weary. Never waver from believing in the clear and certain goodness and trustworthiness of our God! Abraham who believed against all hope, did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise God gave him! (Romans 4:18-22) If you don’t know what God has spoken, simply ask Him. He desires connection and fellowship with us and is so willing to speak. (James 4:8) (John 10:27)

I know it’s been a year of loss and deep pain for so many of us, which is why there’s never been a more intentional time than the few remaining days of 2020 to believe, confidently expect and trust that God’s Word will come to pass!  Anxiety about the present and fear of the future can grip our hearts if we define our lives by what we feel or see.
I encourage you to fix your eyes on the One who never changes, never disappoints and will never fail. He is always good. Even if we don’t understand His ways.

How can we practically live in this tension of letting go of the things that weigh us down and firmly holding onto the truth of God’s goodness and His ability to keep His promises?  A few ways that can keep us anchored and growing stronger in faith are:

• Writing down the promises God has given to us in His Word. Memorizing them. Tucking them in our hearts and throughout the day keeping our mind tethered to that scripture and Truth. The latest headlines and passively scrolling through social media feeds will eventually rob us of peace, mental real estate and time. There’s no better foundation for our lives even as the world shifts and shakes around us than to meditate on God’s letter to us – His Word! It is the only infallible, absolutely trustworthy, timeless Truth that exists.
• Each time thoughts of doubt enter your mind and the glaring impossible facts scream loudly for your attention, ponder on God’s Word and feed your spirit, words of faith. What has He spoken to you? What’s the last word you received from Him? Steward that and remind your heart of His goodness and His perfect track record of being an unfailing God!
• The Presence of Jesus is a nectar to the soul. Spending time sitting at His feet in the secret place will satisfy and nourish us, in ways this world couldn’t come close to fulfilling the inexplainable longings of our souls. (Matthew 6:6) 16th century theologian, poet and writer Fenelon said “How can you expect God to speak in that gentle and inward voice which melts the soul, when you are making so much noise with your rapid reflections? Be silent and God will speak again.”

There is noise coming at us from all directions yet in the middle of it all, choosing to live with an immovable, holy expectation, despite the impossibilities all around us, is choosing to have an attitude of gratitude even before you see the fulfillment of the promise! Jesus understood we sometimes would be tired and become weak in faith. He already made the provision to outdo our inadequacies when He said all we would need is a small, tiny mustard seed size faith. That faith in HIS ability, has the power to move intimidating mountains.

Let’s believe with child like trust. Live in eager anticipation of all God has spoken in His unchangeable word! I have a HOLY EXPECTATION that the awe and power of God will be demonstrated like never before in the days to come. His unshakable Truth will counsel, direct and lead us in 2021 no matter how shaky things may get. Let’s be poised to live with holy expectation and faith to see Emmanuel ‘God with Us,’ be revealed in and through us in ways that will mark our world and move the needle closer to His arrival!

SCRIPTURES FOR MEDITATION

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20

“And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”