“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” (Luke 1:5-7) 

     Luke begins his narrative by describing a seemingly perfect situation.  Zechariah was a priest, and he and his wife, Elizabeth, lived righteous and blameless lives.  But they had no children and were well past the age of having children.  Zechariah and Elizabeth’s barrenness may have fostered deep and lasting pain.  Throughout scripture, barrenness functions as a metaphor for all the ways life feels broken.

     Brokenness, or feeling “barren” is quite common to people from all walks of life, and this feeling is there for a variety of reasons.  But this is what brings us to our knees, asking God for fulfillment in our lives, and that is what he does when we reach out to him.  Our lives are not going to be perfect or ideal, but true fulfillment is achieved when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives as Lord and Savior, because this will give us the perfect peace we all need.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am thankful and very glad that I invited you into my life.  You have turned my feeling of brokenness into unspeakable joy.  Guide me in sharing that joy with the world.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.