She's a pretty big part of the Christmas story, but I'd never actually spent any time thinking about her. I spent the briefest part of a moment pondering her and here's what I've come up with:
1) She was probably in her teenage years.
2) She had fallen in love with a man and was betrothed to him, so she was probably pretty joyful. Two great friends of mine are in the final stages of planning their wedding, and they are just beacons of joy walking around. Their faces shine with love and anticipation and they can barely contain their excitement. I know times have changed, but I still imagine Mary probably felt a bit like my friend who's about to be a bride. *Note: In the time between me writing this blog and posting it, these friends have gotten married. I couldn't even begin to imagine how brightly my dear friend would shine after she became the wife of the man God created to be her husband.*
3) She endured great shame scorn. Mary was just a teenage girl in love with a boy. And then suddenly, she was pregnant. Our culture is basically immune to women being pregnant outside of marriage, but during Mary's time, that ruined your life. I can only imagine the comments and looks she was subjected to. I think of how much more 'tolerant' we claim to be today and yet we still have moments of treating people as less than fungus. I struggle to comprehend what Mary had to endure.
4) She got out of the way. Did she ever. She didn't just sacrifice for the Lord. She didn't just surrender some of herself. She handed over everything. Her love - both for Joseph and herself. Her reputation. Her body. Her womanhood. Her motherhood. Her life. And she considered it an honor.
Here is this young woman, about to be married, and an angel appears to her and tells her that she has found great favor with God, and because of that favor she is going to give birth to a son. Mary's only recorded rebuttal is: "How will this be since I am a virgin?" The angel tells her, and her response is simply: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1: 26-38)
This woman astounds me. She doesn't pepper the angel with a million questions. She doesn't try to get out of the situation. She doesn't even complain about how this is going to disrupt her life. There is no argument from Mary. In fact, a few verses later she's visiting her relative Elizabeth, and Mary sings this amazing song about her soul glorifying the Lord, her spirit rejoicing in God, and all the wonderful things He has done.
I want to be like Mary. Instead of hesitating when God asks me to give something over to Him, or arguing when He tells me His plans, I want to have joy and say, "Lord, I am Your servant. May Your will be done." Even if what He's asking for is everything, a complete re-write of the life script I had planned. May I desire nothing more than the power of the Most High to overshadow me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for showing me the heart of Mary. Lord, I ask that You would eclipse me with You. Have Your way in my life, and use me to further Your Kingdom in anyway You see fit. May my response to Your plans be joy and a holy expectation of Your presence. Father, I confess the sin of trying to write my own story. This isn't a life to be lived for myself. May the utmost desire of my heart always be to seek Your face, Jesus, and to see Your will be done. Amen.
Here is this young woman, about to be married, and an angel appears to her and tells her that she has found great favor with God, and because of that favor she is going to give birth to a son. Mary's only recorded rebuttal is: "How will this be since I am a virgin?" The angel tells her, and her response is simply: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1: 26-38)
This woman astounds me. She doesn't pepper the angel with a million questions. She doesn't try to get out of the situation. She doesn't even complain about how this is going to disrupt her life. There is no argument from Mary. In fact, a few verses later she's visiting her relative Elizabeth, and Mary sings this amazing song about her soul glorifying the Lord, her spirit rejoicing in God, and all the wonderful things He has done.
I want to be like Mary. Instead of hesitating when God asks me to give something over to Him, or arguing when He tells me His plans, I want to have joy and say, "Lord, I am Your servant. May Your will be done." Even if what He's asking for is everything, a complete re-write of the life script I had planned. May I desire nothing more than the power of the Most High to overshadow me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for showing me the heart of Mary. Lord, I ask that You would eclipse me with You. Have Your way in my life, and use me to further Your Kingdom in anyway You see fit. May my response to Your plans be joy and a holy expectation of Your presence. Father, I confess the sin of trying to write my own story. This isn't a life to be lived for myself. May the utmost desire of my heart always be to seek Your face, Jesus, and to see Your will be done. Amen.
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