A Stable Environment: A Spiritual Environment: Luke 1.46-56

Story 1: There was a young girl in the 1950's who began to pray that God would send her a man. This is still not a terribly unusual prayer. Girls and young women (and sometimes older women) spend a lot of time praying for men. This girl was no different, except that her prayer was that God would send her a man who would love Jesus. Her prayer was specific. She wanted a husband who would love her, attend church with her and be a godly father to her children.

Meanwhile, there was a young man in another town who was in all kinds of trouble. He was truant from school, disrespectful to his parents and generally regarded as a troublemaker. Although his parents always took him to church with them, it never made a difference to him. He believed in God, but God didn't have much to do with his life. That is, until God began to answer to prayers of that young woman.

At first, the boy went to church with the girl because that is what she wanted. But after a while, the message began to get to him. He heard from God, and his life was changed. That troubled teenage hooligan became the answer to the prayers of that girl.

After they were married they continued to attend church together. The husband became a Sunday School teacher (and a good one). When their children were born, they were both dedicated to the Lord and raised in the church. They were taught to fear God and love Jesus. They were taught that God was the cornerstone of the family.

This young couple never preached to their children. They never forced them to believe or to attend services. In fact, a short prayer before meals was the only religious education they had at home. These children grew up watching the faithfulness of their loving, godly parents.

Now that girl has retired from work, but she still plays the piano at the church where her husband is the pastor. Her son is also a pastor. Her daughter has been a children's minister in her church. All of that girl's grandchildren are growing up knowing that God loves them. They are being taught to fear God and to love Jesus.

Story 2: Another young girl in a faraway land and time prayed a similar prayer. She asked God to use her as he saw fit. Her desire was to serve God with her whole life. In the middle of one such prayer time, God answered in the most dramatic way possible. He sent an angelic messenger.

Although this girl had never been married- she was engaged- and although she had never been with a man, the angel announced that she would have a child, a child from God. This would be a miraculous conception. God was to be the father of this special baby. The girl's fiance also got a visit from an angel. He was instructed to stay with the girl, to marry her and to serve as the father of the child.

The circumstances surrounding the birth of the child were no less miraculous. There were angelic appearances to shepherds who came to visit. There were prophecies and a star that encouraged some wise leaders to visit. The child received prophecies while visiting in the Temple. And the family was warned by God to hide in Egypt and then later to return home.

We know from the Scriptures that the couple lived a holy life according to God's word. They followed the laws and celebrated the feasts. We can only assume that their child was given the best religious training available.

Both of these stories tell us of parents who longed for a stable environment for their families. They realized that the place to begin creating a stable environment was with spirituality. A spiritual environment is the basic building block for all stable families.

1. Spiritual families pray about everything. There is nothing too insignificant to pray about.
2. Spiritual people believe in God and his ability to work in the world. This is really two different things. First of all, believe in God. Secondly, believe that he is interested in our world and willing to interact with us. He answers our prayers. He works in our world.
3. Live your faith everyday. Creating a spiritual environment includes being an example of Christian lifestyle and practice. You must be consistent in how you live everyday no matter where you are or who is watching.
4. Do not be afraid to stand up for God's ways. This is sometimes difficult. Be willing to take unpopular positions when those around you are going against what you know to be right.
5. Commit to learning about and growing in the Christian faith. Do not be satisfied with your current knowledge of God's word and ways. Learn as much as you can. And grow in your faith. Increase your level of commitment on a regular basis.