Read Luke 1:46-49
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord47 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.
Reflect on Mary’s situation for just a moment.
Yes, she had been visited by an angel.
Yes, she had been chosen by God, to bear His Son.
And, she needed to relinquish the future she had planned. Her baby was not her husband’s. The rumor mill was probably in overdrive; Mary was not married when she learned she was expecting a child.
Joseph’s family would not open their doors to them when they needed to return to Bethlehem. Although it was the city of his birth, no one would shelter them for the night.
Mary and Joseph had not done wrong. In fact, Mary was chosen for this (at least to the world, seemingly so wrong situation,) because she had done so much right. But only God knew her heart, and not so all the others who were watching with human eyes.
In many ways, this good girl, the girl God Himself had chosen, was publicly shunned.
Yet, Mary was not focused on the world’s response or the world’s words. Instead, she remembered her heavenly father’s words.
In verse 48, “For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.”
She knew God kept His eyes on her. Her focus on the Lord loomed so much larger to Mary than anything else on the earth could have.
Reflections:
1) When we are called to something, that calling is rarely without challenges, even roadblocks. How do I handle those challenges?
2) How should I choose to handle those challenges?
3) Am I willing to give up the visions I have to serve Christ?
Go-To Verse:
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1b-4
Thank you for reading! Please return tomorrow, Thursday, May 16 for the next post.