Encouragement

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Reading the account of Mary, once again, I am amazed at her measure of faith.

Luke 1:38, 43 - "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered, "May it be to me as you have said" . . . . Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.

Wow, what faith. Unquestioning faith. Unwavering faith. Was she scared? I'm sure! Curious as to how it would come about? Undoubtably! Yet, with no questions further, her response? "Let it be to me as you have said; I am the Lord's servant." Let it be to me . . . Let it be to me. Five words, so much power. An evidence of her faith in God, her will to obey, and her heart to serve her Almighty no matter the cost to herself.

Did she consider the repercussions of her action, did she think of her parents, her friends, her Joseph? From Scripture, we cannot tell. But one thing is obvious - she loved her Lord. She trusted Him, and she was willing to be the obedient servant he requested of her.

Matthew 10:37 - Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me . . . And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

I believe Mary was worthy of the Lord's favor. She accepted the Lord's command. She loved her Lord more than her family, more than her friends, more than her own life. In a sense, she did take up her cross with all it's shame, disgrace, and stigmas of being an unwed, pregnant teenager. She could have been sure her family might disown her; Joseph might divorce her. She could have even been stoned. Yet, despite all this, she said yes to her Lord, "Let it be to me." This was right. Giving up her own life (all that she knew and held dear) to accept the life that God had laid before her.

God didn't choose Mary because she was perfect, sinless, holy. She was human - that in and of itself means sinful. God chose Mary because he knew her heart. He knew she would be willing.

The Lord knows those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. And He uses them accordingly. Lord, give me a heart more like Mary's.

Let it be to me!

H.C. 12.24.2005

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