It’s quite possible that some of you may be thinking I have painted an incredibly rosy picture of pregnancy and life so far. What about those who suffer illness during pregnancy? The condition hyperemesis gravidarum (suffered by the Duchess of Cambridge in her pregnancies) can be life-threatening and is certainly debilitating and difficult to deal with. What about children conceived because of rape? How can the mother be expected to give birth in those circumstances? What about disabilities discovered before birth? Surely it’s unreasonable to expect us to give birth in these circumstances and abortion is the kindest solution to life’s injustices and difficulties?
What we believe about the sanctity of life has to be worked out in the messy realities of life, but our behaviour will never be determined by circumstances alone. What we believe has profound consequences as to how we live. It is impossible to stress this enough and we have to ensure that our beliefs are founded on God’s Word and not simply on our circumstances or own understanding. We have to live, not by what we feel, but by the truth God’s Word reveals. (‘East To West’, Casting Crowns)
The birth of Jesus was not ideal. Mary was a virgin, probably only about fourteen years old, when she received the news that she would give birth to the Saviour of the world. The shame of being an unmarried mother would have been great. Even Joseph had his doubts about her! (Matt 1:19) Her story of an immaculate conception would have received derision and ridicule. She was not in a good place, realistically speaking.
It costs to live according to God’s Word, but Mary’s response gives us the clue as to how we can do this: ‘“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”’ (Luke 1:38) In the messiness of life, in the ‘not ideal’ circumstances we find ourselves in, we have to hold on to God and believe His promises can be fulfilled and good can even come from evil if we will only trust Him.