Besides being cousins, Mary and Elizabeth were ‘spirit friends’. They didn’t just connect socially, they connected spiritually at a deeper level. That’s why Mary ‘hurried’ to see Elizabeth, and why she spent three months with her. It’s also why Elizabeth confirmed the miraculous purposes of God that were being fulfilled in Mary’s life, and praised her obedience. The Bible says: ‘A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea…She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth…exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed…Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home”’ (vv. 39-42, 56 NLT). When God introduces us to someone who’s been touched by His Spirit and carries within them a vision that’s started by the Holy Spirit, we need to reach out to them, treasure them, and build a relationship with them. The strength of the connection between Mary and Elizabeth went beyond the fact that they were family. Sometimes our families are the first to criticise us and the last to understand us. It also came from a mutual realisation that God’s Spirit was working in their lives. Their relationship with God meant that they had a stronger relationship with each other. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the unborn child within her leaped in her womb. How do we recognise a ‘spirit friend’? When they speak, something within us will resonate. That’s because we’re both filled with the same Holy Spirit and empowered to do God’s will.

What Now?

Do you have a ‘spirit friend’ in your life? If not, ask God to help you find one. If you do, why not send them a message to tell them how much you appreciate their friendship.