“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45
How might Mary, Mother of Jesus be described?
A young girl.
A highly favored girl.
A girl who desired to do God’s will.
Mary has a beautiful song found in Luke 1:47- 55.
“and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary knew who she was.
Mary knew who God was.
And she was yielding her heart, her marriage, her future, her everything, for her God.
To review all Mary surrendered, please read I am the Lord’s Servant, December 2012.
Mary was willing to surrender her comparatively simple life for a life, which many would consider, screamed scandal.
She would live the rest of her days with many negative stigmas attached to her reputation. Not only was she pregnant at her wedding, this child would one day suffer a criminal’s death.
No mother can bear the anguish of watching her child die, let alone die as a criminal, die by the will of the people, yet innocent of the charge.
Even the birth of her first-born was unlike anything she’d ever daydreamed: she was alone with her husband as the only family, in a foreign city, not even in a home or inn, but resigned to birthing her son in a barn.
No, Mary’s life probably looked nothing like she’d ever imagined. She probably never contemplated giving birth to her Savior. She didn’t daydream about watching her God come down from heaven to author the Greatest Love Story ever.
But when you follow God, doesn’t He always supersede expectations?
The blessings are often greater than anything a mere human could ever author.
Yet, although we might feel life fails to meets our expectations at times, God never does. Like Mary, we learn, His grace is indeed sufficient. As we contemplate Christmastime, may we each allow God to direct our individual lives no matter where He is taking us.
What would it take for you to answer as Mary did in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”?
She was called into something she had not planned. Would she be able to fulfill the role? Did she have what it took?
Yet God had called her.
He would provide whatever she needed.
Reflections:
Monday: What is your definition of Savior? Who is your Savior? Why?
Tuesday: Is Christmastime a celebration in your very soul? Or does it more resemble everyone’s birthday?
Wednesday: What would it take for you to answer as Mary did in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.”?
Thursday: Are you willing to surrender your present, your future, your everything, for whatever God has planned? Are you concerned you are not properly equipped? Please enjoy this link to an old Christmas carol. Think about what boy offered: only himself. And it was enough. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFB8zZx-G84
Friday: How easy it would have been, at various points in Mary’s life for her to question, “Are you sure, Lord? This is what you have for me?” Pray a prayer of faith to sustain you no matter what.
Prayer: My gracious Father, may you strengthen my faith, always providing what I need. May I always realize your promise, that your grace is sufficient indeed! May I lean on you and when I feel my faith faltering, may I cling to you. Please help my disbelief, please grow my faith. Although all events in this life may not make sense today, please help me to simply “treasure these things up in my heart,” and sincerely put my hope and trust in you.”
Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, December 16, for the next post. May you have a very blessed week!