“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
55to 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.
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 baby 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.
Although we might feel life fails to meet 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?”
Will you join me in asking our Heavenly Father for just that?
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. May I be able to repeat Mary’s words, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as You have said.” In Jesus’ name, amen.