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Readings: Luke 1:5-7; 23-25; 57-66
I have several secret writing mentors. Although we don’t know each other personally, these are people that I watch and follow. I want to know how they do things.
One such writer is Annie F. Downs. I pay attention to what Annie posts on social media and watch how she practices being authentic on the internet.
Recently, Annie released her new book as an audiobook. In the email she sent out this week, Annie shared that she had a lot of thoughts about people being able to “read” the book before it was physically available.
Putting anything out into the world before others is scary. Of course, Annie’s readers have responded positively. And they’ve told her so.
Annie admits the responses make her feel both overwhelmed and grateful, and as she’s processing, she said,
“It matters when you respond to the creator.”
A creator myself, I attest that this is true. I save many of the emails I receive, especially when people tell me something I wrote mattered to them.
On days the work feels hard, I’ll go back, using the emails to remind myself this project is good and my writing matters,
Annie’s statement also got me thinking about Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. I’ve heard Elizabeth and Zechariah’s story before but growing up, the leading players at Christmas were Mary and Joseph.
But, unsurprisingly, the story of Elizabeth is included for a reason.
Upon my first reading of the scripture, I didn’t catch that Elizabeth isolated herself in the early days of her pregnancy. The Bible doesn’t say why she did this, but I can imagine a few reasons.
Maybe she was trying to protect the life inside of her. A barren woman in Biblical times, Elizabeth was probably ostracized from the community. Likely, the community believed God had removed his favor from her, or even that she was cursed.
Her newfound pregnancy was a gift in many ways, including a sort of reintroduction into society (v. 25).
Perhaps Elizabeth thought no one would believe her until she was far enough along to show. After all, neither Elizabeth nor Zechariah were in their prime – conceiving a child would have been impossible without God’s intervention (v. 7).
By staying in hiding, she didn’t have to face questions or speculations from friends or family.
It’s also possible Elizabeth withdrew to spend time meditating. Her life and all the expectations she had of her and Zechariah living out their twilight years together are about to change drastically.
Anyone would need some quiet time to wrap their head around such a significant shift.
Regardless of why she isolated herself, I have no doubt Elizabeth spent time praising her Creator. It was clear to her God had orchestrated these events, and she used her time away to press into her relationship with God.
Elizabeth intentionally pulled away and got quiet. She knew it matters to praise the Creator.
I know I don’t spend enough time saying thank you. Too often, something changes in my life, and I’m quick to pat myself on the back for all I did to make things happen. It’s easy to forget to thank the people who have influenced you.
After John is born, Elizabeth’s friends and relatives can fully share in her joy (v. 58). The praise and excitement Elizabeth had been feeling for nine months was now a community event.
How often do we receive, and recognize, an answered prayer? I know I don’t spend enough time in meditation and thanksgiving on the blessings of God. Today seems like the perfect time to start.
Journal Prompt: Have you praised God for something in his creation? Spend a little extra time in gratitude to the Creator today.
