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Emily van Rijn
avatarEmily van Rijn2 min read  

The Cost and Priviledge of Being Used by God

     Imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for Mary traveling to Bethlehem when she was heavily pregnant. It would have been uncomfortable enough in a car or an airplane. But she didn’t even have that privilege. It would have taken at least four days. How her poor body must have ached!

    And then when they finally got there, there was no suitable accommodation for them. The only room they could find was a stable, and of course labour started there.

    Mary’s life had already been “ruined.” Finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant before her wedding. Having to sacrifice her reputation to be the mother of the Saviour.

    Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Saviour. It was a huge honour. The angel said to her, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Mary was richly blessed. But it came with great sacrifice and discomfort.

    I wonder how she handled it all. Did she grumble and complain on that long journey to Bethlehem? Did she feel sorry for herself? Did she question God? By going to Bethlehem, Scripture was being fulfilled. God’s will was accomplished. God was being faithful to His Word.

    For God’s will to be fulfilled in our life, there will be a cost. For God to be faithful to His Word, there will be some sacrifice and discomfort. 

     It is a huge honour to serve the King. Serving God brings rich spiritual blessings. May I always keep that in mind when I feel like complaining about the cost. May I have Mary’s attitude.

    “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38

    There really is no cost, only the privilege of serving the King of Kings. Helen Roseveare

    I long for nothing more earnestly than to serve God with all my might. Charles Spurgeon


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