She always seems to know what to say, and is more than happy to share her experiences. At one point in our lives, we have had an older sister figure in our life, who provides guidance, advice, listening ear, comfort, and companionship whenever we need it. We call on her for anything and everything, and we are just happy she is always there for us.
One Bible character who may have enjoyed such a relationship is Jesus’ own mother, Mary. Mary has an older cousin named Elizabeth, who later turned out to be John the Baptist’s mother.
Despite their age gap, Mary and Elizabeth became pregnant at almost the same time. Both also had amazing pregnancy stories — Mary of course had an immaculate conception, while Elizabeth was barren for a very long time, and she became pregnant at a very old age.
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ” Luke 1:39-41
The two women spent time together before their respective children were born. Being in an age where there are no mobile devices that might have kept them from talking to each other while being on the same roof, we can surmise that they hung out most of their time together. Just like how we ladies of the present time would.
And how lovely it would be to talk to someone who can relate to your pregnancy struggles, worries about motherhood, among other things? As humans, God has created us to become the social creatures that we are, and He designed us to need and receive encouragement from one other.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
And so, why don’t we pause now to evaluate if we already have an Elizabeth in our life. If there is, let’s ask ourselves if we are showing her the love and importance we ought to show someone who has been a blessing to our life?
If we have yet to meet our “Elizabeth” then maybe we can evaluate our present relationships. Do we have in our sphere a godly woman whom we can trust? Someone who is relatively older than us and can willingly share her faith and wisdom?
One of the places she might just show up is in church, or in our everyday life, so we must evaluate from there. If we unfortunately do not have prospects yet, then we can always pray for it. God wants us to have friendships and life-giving relationships and so, when we ask our Lord, we ought to prepare ourselves to have that “Elizabeth” in our life.
“Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them.” Sirach 6:16
Having an “Elizabeth” in our life will help us become better persons. She can also help us grow our faith given that she is a genuine follower of Jesus, and would have more experiences and heavenly wisdom. Hanging out and looking up to people like her, is far far better than being with worldly people seeking fleeting joys.
After evaluating if we have already met our Elizabeth, it is now time to ask ourselves if we can be an Elizabeth to someone too. Is there anyone whom we can help grow in faith? Is there someone who needs our company and God-honoring wisdom? How can we help this person?
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
We are not to roam this world alone. God wants us to seek Him along with other believers. He expresses His love and care for us through others too. And so, let us be open to the relationships he has brought into our lives, pray to meet and be surrounded with more godly people, and ask the Lord to help us become blessings into the lives of others.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you toponder on Luke 1 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Is there a person in your life that helps you become a better person? A person who encourages you to grow your faith? Are you that kind of a person to someone?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for putting Godly-people in my life. May I also become a blessing to other people, and lead people to you. Amen.
