The Event - Day 10

Well, it's day 10 of our 40-day journey into the birth of Christ. On Sunday we studied Luke's (Luke 1:26-35) account of Mary's encounter with the Angel Gabriel and this week we'll be posting some stuff to keep you thinking about that part of the story. Today's blog was written by a lady in our church named Melissa Smith...very cool stuff...thanks Melissa. 


In this passage, Mary only asked one question, “How?”  I wonder if what she meant was, “I know how this whole baby thing works, God.  Isn’t there something you need ME to do to bring this about?”  I don’t think that would have been my first question!  I would have had a lot of other questions come to mind!  They’d be more like the “What if . . . ” and “Are you sure . . .” types of questions.  You know - What if my parents disown me? What if I’m left all alone to raise a baby? What if people talk about me behind my back? What if people snicker as I walk by? Are you sure you want me to do this? Are you sure your timing is right on this whole thing? Are you sure there isn’t some easier way? Are you sure there isn’t someone better qualified for this task?  The list could go on!

What strikes me about Mary’s response is that she didn’t spend time trying to negotiate obedience with God. Something I, unfortunately, do all too often.  She didn’t feel the need to remind God of the consequences of submitting to His will because He already knew them and she trusted Him.  She didn’t feel the need to offer a “better” plan because she knew there wasn’t one.  She lived under the conviction that God knew the plans He had for her and they were for a prosperous hope and future. (ref. Jeremiah 29:11)

When God chooses to use me and reveals His will for me, I hope that I will respond more like Mary and less like my self-protective and somewhat prideful self.  I pray that I won’t question the “correctness” of his plan, and that I won’t try to negotiate with Him to make things easier on myself.  I pray that I will trust God enough and be humble enough to simply say, “How?” or “Is there anything you need ME to do to bring this about?”           

Because the truth of the matter is that God does have a calling for my life – for each of our lives.  What determines my course, is my own willingness to submit to that will and allow myself to be part of His plan. I pray that, like Mary, we will all be convinced that there is no better plan to follow than that of our Heavenly Father.