A close friend recently purchased a remote cabin in the mountains to escape the summer heat. As she and her husband worked to fix it up, she found herself thinking, what would I do if we had a medical problem or emergency? She reasoned through various scenarios and came up with appropriate plans of action.

Within a few days, a crown came off her tooth! She didn’t panic because she knew just what to do. She knew that this was not a coincidence. God was the One who had prepared her.

In Scripture, we find God preparing His people as well. Today, let’s focus on the virgin Mary.

When Mary learns that Elizabeth, who was previously barren, is six months pregnant, she makes the long journey to visit her. (I think this was a wonderful way for God to also protect Mary from the curious and judgmental eyes of her village at the onset of her own unexpected and unique pregnancy.)

Mary ends up staying with Elizabeth for three months, most likely helping with or observing the birth of Elizabeth’s son, John. What a wonderful way for God to prepare Mary. I’m sure she was really paying attention to all Elizabeth was experiencing those last few months of pregnancy. Seeing her relative go through labor and delivery would have helped prepare Mary for giving birth to Jesus far from her own home with only the help of Joseph.

God prepares us as well. Paul writes to Timothy that a believer can be “an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21b).

Whatever our future holds, we can be reassured that God is preparing us for it.