We meet Mary as a young teen in the gospel of Luke, suddenly swept into God’s redemptive story. She is “confused and disturbed,” before she declares, “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. In her story, we see one of Scripture’s most beautiful progressions of faith. Mary’s journey speaks to everyone on the road from confused to confident. Let’s look at the progression of faith in her story:
Confused
Mary’s journey begins with confusion. When the angel Gabriel greets her, saying, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28), Mary is puzzled. In the New Living Translation, Luke 1:29 tells us that she is “confused and disturbed” and that she tries to think about what the angel could mean.
Mary teaches us that confusion does not disqualify us; it is simply the soil from which confidence can grow.
Condemned
The angel’s announcement that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit brings with it a complex reality: Mary will appear to be pregnant out of wedlock.
From her culture’s perspective, this meant shame. Mary’s “yes” to God is a yes to cultural misunderstanding and social condemnation.
Consoled
God does not leave Mary to face her burden alone. In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph was initially planning to break off the engagement quietly, but he received his own angelic confirmation. He believes Mary. He married her, supports her, and saves her from shame.
Confirmed
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, says to Mary, “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45 NLT
She affirms God’s work in Mary’s life, and her words strengthen Mary’s faith.
Confident
Mary’s song beautifully reveals that her confusion has transformed into confident faith. She lifts her voice in praise, declaring God’s greatness, mercy, and strength.
Her journey moves from:
- confused to condemned,
- condemned to consoled,
- consoled to confirmed,
- and from confirmed to confident.
Confused to Confident: A Journey Many of Us Walk
Mary’s journey from confused to confident mirrors the path many believers walk. Following her example, we may begin by wondering what God is doing, struggling with the cost of obedience, and unsure of how things will unfold. Yet, if we trust His process, we discover through His Word, His presence, and the people He places around us that He has indeed chosen us for His purpose.
And like Mary, let us praise God with hope-filled confidence, even before every question is answered. During this first week of Advent, may we, like Mary, move through confusion into a confident faith that sings His praises.
*For those of you who prayer walk, ponder your position on the path from confused to confident. And for a copy of this week’s screensaver, click here.