Waiting: Day 13

Friday December 12, 2025

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to a town of Judah,

 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39,40, English Standard Version

Arose and went with haste. We might say she “jumped up and ran.” Or she “beat it.” Let’s just leave it that young Mary wasn’t wasting any time.

Into the hill country to a town of Judah. This place is so small it doesn’t even rate a name. “It’s out there,” one might say, pointing in the distance. “Somewhere in those hills.”

And she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Now we get to the real reason for the visit. She needed to see Elizabeth. Needed to see her swelling abdomen, needed to see that she really was craving pickles or ice cream or whatever it was pregnant women of the day craved. Needed to see if her old cousin really was having morning sickness. Mary, scared to death yet obedient, needed some confirmation. She needed reassurance.

I wonder if God was disappointed that she sought out Elizabeth. Did this indicate that perhaps she was the wrong choice? Maybe she wasn’t as faithful and obedient as expected. Shouldn’t she simply trust the Lord who, after all, had sent her an angel for a personal conversation? Angel visits are pretty solid confirmation in my book.

But, when I really reflect on it, I’m certain the Lord wasn’t disappointed one bit. Gabriel all but invited Mary to go to the hill country and check things out. He’s the one who linked the miraculous pregnancies. I think he knew that heaven was asking a lot of the young lady, so nudging her in Elizabeth’s direction was the least he could do.

Do you remember some of those folks we mentioned a few days ago who were hesitant, even argumentative, when God called them to a task? Do you remember God’s response? He sent Moses’ eloquent brother Aaron along to do the talking, and He performed miracles through Mose’s staff. Gideon got to run through a series of tests with fleece and dew. Jeremiah is assured that he’s not too young. Isaiah is promised that he’s been forgiven and redeemed. Even hardheaded Jonah gets rescued by a whale.

God knew Mary was human enough that she’d need Elizabeth. He knows we need some Elizabeths in our lives, too. Because following God isn’t easy, and it’s not something to be done all by ourselves.