While doing some reading and studying this weekend, I ran across a statement that I believe can help you and me both as we face a new week.
With increasing pressures all over the United States from COVID-19 and the safe harbor date for the election this week, there is a nugget of a thought that will help you navigate all these and other pressures throughout your week.
Dr. Luke provides it for us in his recounting of the birth of Christ.
Notice Mary’s Response
The angel Gabriel visits Mary to explain for what she has been chosen. As you see below, God chose her to be the mother of the Messiah. He writes:
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:26-37)
Mary listens to Gabriel explain that she is going to be the mother of the Messiah. She questions how that is possible. Gabriel then explains to her the work of the Holy Spirit which will in fact mean she gets pregnant.
Notice what he reminds her, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Mary’s Response Challenges Us
This is the important response from Mary that I think can challenge each of us as we begin a new week. Here it is:
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
That’s it. Her attitude defies logic. She simply says, “I am the servant of the Lord and may God’s will be done.”
Does she understand everything Gabriel just said? No way!
Has she ever heard of a virgin conceiving a child, much less the Messiah? Absolutely not.
Is she willing to accept God’s providential control of her life and simply serve God in the circumstances? Yes!
Praise God for her wisdom and insight in this event! May this be a challenge for all of us this week as well. Even in light of not understanding everything or whatever other struggle you may have this week, may we also in humility simply say,
“I am a servant and may God’s will be done.”
Image Credit Gareth Harper
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
