Immanuel in My Story: Finding Your Part in God’s Christmas Plan.Намуна

Pregnant with Purpose

Before Joseph’s dream, Mary became pregnant.
In the eyes of her culture, pregnancy before intimacy looked like scandal, shame, even rejection. From the outside, it did not look holy. It looked like a problem.

But this was not an ordinary pregnancy. God rarely does ordinary. Everything He does exceeds our limited view and expectations. Often, the only issue is that we do not see it or appreciate it in the moment. He is the God who adds extra to our ordinary and super to our natural.

Matthew’s account focuses on Joseph’s dream. Luke shows us Mary’s encounter with the angel. Different angles of the same story, but one thing is clear: this pregnancy was birthed by the power of the Holy Spirit. No one could take the credit. No man could claim the glory. Heaven had interrupted earth.

Mary was faithful and available. She was willing to say yes. She was counted worthy of the honour, not because she was perfect, but because she was surrendered.

When you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, there is no room for mediocrity. The book of Acts tells us that we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We are privileged to live in a time where the Spirit of God not only comes upon us, but dwells in us. Jesus Himself promised to abide in you if you choose to abide in Him. And the reward of that abiding is fruitfulness.

So what lies within you?
What are you pregnant with?

If Christ lives in you and you in Him, where is the fruit? The evidence will show up in what you do and say, in your behaviour and character. It will show up in the assignments you carry, the people you serve, and the love you give. You carry something special.

Joseph’s decision to marry Mary in spite of her pregnancy was by divine leading. He chose obedience over opinion. In the same way, God will send destiny helpers to stand with you in seasons that look risky, messy, or misunderstood. You are pregnant with purpose, and God will not leave you to carry it alone. He will place the right people around you so that you will indeed know that God is with us.

What are you pregnant with?
Are you at risk of aborting purpose?

Sometimes, the very dreams and “pregnancies” God gives you cause people to step back. Some may want to quietly distance themselves. Some may not understand. Some may even try to put you away in secret. But when you are surrendered to God and willing to carry what He has given you to full term, He will come through for you.

God will work it out.
He has never started what He cannot finish.
He is in no way limited by the things that limit men.

So the question is not whether He is able. The question is: will you nurture what He has placed inside you?

Will you nurture the pregnancy God has given you?
Will you let His light shine through you, so that people see your life, glorify your Father in heaven, and are moved to help you bring the purpose and divine assignment that you carry to full term?

Reflection

• What “pregnancy” of purpose, idea, assignment, or calling are you currently carrying?
• Where have you been tempted to hide it, minimise it, or walk away because of fear or other people’s opinions?
• Who might God be positioning as a destiny helper in this season, and how can you partner with that help rather than resist it?

Prayer

Father, thank You for trusting me with purpose. Thank You for every seed You have planted in my heart by Your Spirit. Where I have been afraid, ashamed, or tempted to walk away, forgive me. Strengthen me to carry the assignment you have given me to full term. Surround me with the right people, like You did for Mary and Joseph. Help me to nurture what You have placed within me, so that my life will bear fruit that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.