TRUE Connection: Divinely Connected Women
by Helen Burns
Have you ever marveled at the way our lives intersect with people who become a significant part of our lives and our future? I certainly have! I’ve been in awe of how God divinely connects-the-dots throughout our journey of life and aligns our steps with those who He has orchestrated for us to do life together with.
I once heard a pastor say that 90% of your destiny is not in you, but it is in the relationships that you will encounter throughout life. This is a great reminder to pay close attention to what God is doing, what He is speaking to your heart, and who He is aligning your steps with.
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” (Anais Nin)
I have been reading through the familiar scriptures found in the first chapters of Luke and once again I am drawn to the story of the beautiful relationship that existed between Elizabeth and Mary. There is so much to glean from the relationship that these two women shared – their destinies were supernaturally connected to one another for Kingdom purpose.
Two women who loved God and used their lives to serve His greater purpose
Two women, both pregnant miraculously (one past child-bearing years and barren; one young and a virgin)
Two divine angelic visitations; one angel.
Two women who were chosen to raise sons who would change the world – Elizabeth, the mother of John, the baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Son of God
Two women who sang the prophetic song of their hearts over each other:
Elizabeth’s Song:
At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (Luke 1:41-45 NLT)
Mary’s Song:
My soul chooses to glorify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He is always mindful of me and my situation. The Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is His name. I’m bursting with God-news. He came and rescued me, declaring me His favoured one, beautiful inside and out. His mercy flows in wave after wave to all those who are in awe before him, From generation to generation.
What God has done for me will never be forgotten. He continues to fill my hungry soul with good things. He has helped me, His servant; He remains merciful to me even as he promised. Therefore today—and tomorrow, I stand quiet before Him, I stand still; I know that He is God. (Luke 1:46-55 Paraphrase)
Two divinely connected individuals – all for a purpose greater than what they could have ever dreamed or imagined.
As I reflect on the days that we are living in today, I am completely astounded by what has been accomplished through an alliance of amazing women who have opened their hearts, extended their hands, engaged their feet, expanded their minds, lifted their voices and decided to become the change that this world is in such desperate need of.
Mary needed Elizabeth–someone who she could trust completely to help nurture the enormous God-assignment on her life. I can’t imagine what it would have felt like to be Mary who at such a young and tender age accepted the responsibility to carry God into this world–literally!
Elizabeth also needed Mary–someone she could pour her life into. Elizabeth had believed God for the promised Messiah, and now she would use her love, her wisdom, and strength to lend toward the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise for her people.
These, too, are exciting prophetic days that we have been chosen to live in–days that we, along with those who have gone before us, have prayed for and waited for. Let us be a Mary and an Elizabeth in the lives of one another. Let’s help fuel the God-dreams and visions in the hearts of others.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Eccl 4:9-12 NLT)
Let us be a Mary and an Elizabeth in the lives of one another
Helen’s warm wit and wisdom is an inspiration to many. Helen and her husband John pioneered Relate Church, a thriving family church in the Vancouver area, in 1986. Helen shares with depth and insight on marriage, family and relationships... helping people to discover their destiny in God. She is also the co-host of the television show Love, Sex + Relationships on the Hillsong Channel and the author of several books.