This blog post and podcast episode are being published shortly before Christmas, 2023. I love the Christmas music that is sung and shared this time of year. Recently, one song in particular got me thinking about Jesus’ mother Mary. Do you think Mary realized that in addition to being the mother of His Son, that she had her own ministry purpose? Stay tuned to hear what we can glean from Mary’s life that can help you find God’s ministry purpose for you, in a life that includes disabilities.
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One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the music that is only played this time of year. Maybe that’s true for you, too. I consider it a highlight of the season when I hear the song, “Mary, Did You Know?” The poignant lyrics nearly bring me to tears, no matter how often I’ve heard the song.
Scripture reveals almost nothing about Mary’s life before the angel Gabriel appeared to her, as recorded in Luke 1. In a few brief statements, Gabriel—messenger of the Most High—told Mary that the scripture regarding the Messiah she would have heard since her earliest days would be fulfilled, and it would be fulfilled in part through her life. What an incredible gift from God!
Not only that, Mary heard that this child would be great. Isn’t that the heart desire of every parent? It’s not about greatness for yourself, but that your child would excel, and be better than you. And that’s just for our own children. I can hardly imagine what Mary must have thought was in store for her son!
At the same time Mary received this incredible message from Gabriel, with all its promise and excitement, Mary stepped into a world of suffering, for herself, and for her beloved Son. Mary, did you know that suffering would be part of this package?
Did she know that she would experience rejection from her family and friends, because who would believe her story of becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit?
Did she know that as the time drew closer to give birth, when she and Joseph had to be in Bethlehem to register for the Roman census—along with everyone from his family—that none of their relatives would make room for them? This refusal to help came when it was obvious to all that she was about to deliver her baby.
Mary, did you know that your child would continue to be mocked as illegitimate, in a culture where genealogy and the legalities around inheritance were paramount? Some commentators believe Psalm 69:8-12 describes Jesus’ growing up years, including the noted songs of mocking.
Mary, did you know the incredible perseverance and faith it would take to hold onto that brief conversation with Gabriel, and believe Joseph’s dream, when year after year, your responsibilities as a parent of this Child seemed pretty similar to your responsibilities for your other children?
Mary, did you know that in these seven brief sentences from Gabriel, you would find your ministry purpose, as God’s chosen mother for His one and only son? Did you know that your ministry purpose in God’s kingdom would include year after year of seemingly ordinary parenting? Could you have known that God would only give you glimpses of His purposes, in the kindnesses of strangers and the support of a select few loved ones, as your son grew into who He always has been, the Son of Man and Son of God? Gabriel concluded his message to Mary by saying, “Nothing will be impossible with God.”
The Christmas season can be very hard for families with disabilities and mental heath challenges. For parents who nurture a child with these challenges—no matter what age—it may feel like there will never be any changes, that God does not have a plan that is working out in and through all the daily details.
God works in patterns, and one of the reasons we are to study scripture is to help recognize what He is doing in our lives, by looking at how He worked in the lives of believers who came before us. So what can we learn from Mary’s life, about her ministry purpose? And how does that apply to your life today?
God has purpose in the suffering. One day, He will pull all the seemingly disconnected parts together, in a way that is magnificent. He certainly did this for Mary, in ways that went far beyond her comprehension. Nothing will be impossible with God.
What God asks of you, He will provide the way for it to be accomplished. As far as we know, there was nothing special about Mary in herself. All He wanted was her belief in His Word, her agreement and commitment to the task He had for her. That commitment was surely tested by the mean-spirited neighbors and family who were not supportive of her or her son, and likely a religious community who may have ostracized her, or at a minimum given her many side-eyed, disbelieving looks. Yet in spite of the challenges for her son to be part of family and religious community, God’s will prevailed. Nothing will be impossible with God.
One day, our efforts in fulfilling our ministry purpose will bear much fruit for His kingdom, even after our lives are complete. Mary lived to see her son grow up and show the world that He is the Anointed One, Yeshua HaMashiach. She endured the terrible pain of seeing the torture, crucifixion and death of her child, only to see God show that that was not the end. When we put our trust in Him, God always writes the end of our stories. Mary put her trust in Him, and God gave her the incredible gift of seeing that death could not hold her Son. Nothing was impossible with God.
Today, whether you are excited about this Christmas season, or can’t wait for it to be over, I encourage you that even when you can’t see the way through your challenges, nothing will be impossible with God. God will use your experiences and the wisdom gained to bless others and multiply His kingdom, if you trust and follow Him where He leads. The Key Ministry team would be honored to help you discern His leading into your ministry purpose. And remember, no matter what His calling is for you, nothing will be impossible with God.
