Mary: Willing, Contemplative
Today I had my monthly four hour IV infusion. I am working on some future plans, I will share after the first of the year. I returned home to wrap presents and did get in a good nap.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38 NIV “…all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:18,19 NIV
It had to happen some time. It had to happen at the right time. It had to happen with the right person. Paul declared that, “…when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4 NIV)
For such a momentous event, heaven dispatches the Angel Gabriel to a young virgin girl name Mary, living in the obscure Galilee town of Nazareth. The frightening appearance of the archangel from heaven invading earth would have been disturbing and confusing. While it is said, that every Jewish girl dreamed of being the one who gave birth to the Messiah, when it happened, it had all kinds of unexpected ramifications.
As the angel announced the news to Mary she was bewildered and perplexed, “how can this be?” was her question. We find in the coming of Christ what we can observe about God’s ways; they are beyond our understanding.
The angel encourages Mary’s faith by telling her that her cousin Elizabeth who was old and past the years of childbearing, was pregnant and already in her sixth month. And then utters the words, “for with God nothing is impossible.”
Mary’s response is one of humility and willingness. How important it is for us to understand that when God uses us, we don’t always understand the reason or the process. I am reminded of David’s prayer when he said, “…grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12 NIV) Our willingness, will lead us in a path that is often unexpected and requires constant truth. That is what we see in Mary.
Mary did not have an understanding of all the events that transpired. The visit of the shepherds on the night Jesus was born. The later visit of the wise men bringing their gifts. This miracle birth and all the events did not require any special effort on the part of Mary and Joseph to share the news. The Lord took care of the “birth announcements.”
As the visit of the shepherds takes place, with their news of angels appearing and singing, I’m sure it was all difficult for Mary to comprehend. I like the description of her response, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” More times than not, the Lord’s intervention in our life does not call for quick judgments and conclusions. It does require contemplation and reflection and the time to see how events unfold. It is often in the future that we are able to “put the pieces” of our life together and to see how the Lord has been working through the events of our life.
Prayer for today… Lord, in the course of our life, allow us to learn the important lesson of obedience and willingness as we submit to Your will. Following You doesn’t mean we have all the details worked out in advance. This calls us to pause, ponder and to consider Your ways as we live a life of faith.