As I prepared for our women’s ministry gathering, I asked God why this ministry was important. Our church has been going through a long and difficult season, and it was easy for me to feel alone and discouraged. God gently reminded me that he is good and that he equips us with everything good that we may do his will (Hebrews 13:21). He reminded me of the women he has placed in my life to come alongside me. And he also led me to his Word, to Mary and Elizabeth’s friendship.
I hope that God can encourage you, sister, with reasons for why God gives us to each other.
Because God knows we need each other.
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel gave the news to Mary that she would be pregnant with Jesus.
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35)
Mary lived during a time when she would be shunned and even stoned if someone were to find out about her pregnancy outside of marriage. Consider all the conflicting emotions she must have felt when she received the news. In the end, she may have felt so alone in her predicament. So imagine how encouraged she must have been when the angel told her that her relative Elizabeth was also going through a similar miraculous pregnancy.
And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:36-37)
Elizabeth had been barren and was not likely to have a successful pregnancy as an older woman. Yet she was now six months pregnant! It is an amazing comfort to have someone go before you and be able to relate to you. As a mother of three boys, I often struggle with patience and wisdom in parenting. I am always encouraged and refreshed in my calling as a mother when I spend time with other mothers. Those with older children in particular are able to speak into my season and impart wisdom and encouragement. We need other women in our lives!
So that we can point each other to God.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:39-45)
Mary and Elizabeth were not just relatives; they were both believers in the same God. They were familiar with the Old Testament promises of the Messiah. When Elizabeth saw Mary, she was joyful and filled with the Holy Spirit because of the fulfillment of the prophecy in Jesus. In Luke 1:6, Luke described Elizabeth and her husband as “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” This specific passage and the passage with Mary reveal to us two things: one, Elizabeth is a seasoned believer, who knew the Word of God. She knew about the prophecy and also had insight from the Holy Spirit of its fulfillment in Jesus! And two, God used Elizabeth to strengthen and confirm Mary’s calling and pointed her to glorify God. What a good and loving God we have!
God gives us the church body so that we can point each other to God. Six years ago, my husband and I were going through a rough season in our marriage. So many sisters in Christ encouraged me, listened to me, and walked with me. In the moments where I could not see God’s love and goodness in my life, I needed other sisters to point me to Jesus and his Word. They reminded me of God’s promises, his character, and his faithfulness. I’m so thankful for the body of Christ.
So that we can share life.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months until John was born. No matter the reason for this stay, we can imagine how wonderful it must have been for Mary and Elizabeth to have each other in this particular season. As expecting mothers, they may have benefited from each other’s help in the day-to-day. I imagine that they were able to share what God has been doing in their lives, probably share fears or concerns, and encourage each other. What’s important is that they both loved God, desired to obey God together, and shared life together.
Friend, we serve such an amazing God. Not only is he God of all the universe, and God who redeemed us so we can live and live free of guilt and condemnation, but he is also a good God who gives his children good gifts. He frequently calls us to share life with one another for the purposes of building one another up:
- Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to consider how to stir up one another to good works, not to neglect to meet together, and instead, encourage one another!
- Romans 12:9-21 gives us instructions on how to live as Christians. We are called to be devoted to one another in love, giving preference to one another in honor, to pray for each other, to contribute to others’ needs, to practice hospitality, to rejoice and weep with others, to be at peace with others, and so much more!
Maybe you have attended church for a long time and are comfortable with your group of friends, or are currently going through a season where you don’t feel like you have more to give. Perhaps you have been hurt or disappointed by other women or struggle with relationships with other women. Sister, you are not alone. My encouragement to you is to look to Jesus and his Word for comfort, strength, and wisdom.
- Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are all sinners. There will continue to be pain and sin in all our relationships on earth.
- Ephesians 4:23: We are called to forgive one another, as God has forgiven us through Christ. Who are we to withhold forgiveness when God forgave us first?
- Psalm 34:18, 68:19: God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. He daily bears our burdens and is walking with us even in our pain.
- The Gospels: Jesus gave us the ultimate example of investing in relationships, sharing life, and pointing others to God. He shared life with his disciples and the people in his community and always pointed them to God. He loved us and died for us, while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
Sisters, we should rejoice and be filled with thanksgiving for the body of Christ and for the specific people that God has placed in our season of life. Let us be intentional in coming alongside them and be steadfast in sharing life and pointing each other to Jesus.
Here are some questions for further reflection:
- If you have been a Christian for a long time, are you investing time and prayers to new friendships? Are there any women in your church or community whom you haven’t considered reaching out to? Are you open to investing in new relationships?
- Who are the women whom you share life with? Are they pointing you to Jesus? Are you pointing them to Jesus?
- Have you been sharing life with others regularly? Are there any barriers to this?
Photo Credit: Lachlan Gowen