I’m sure, like any young woman, Mary was hopeful and excited about the possibilities of her life with her soon to be husband, Joseph. Can’t help but wonder what it must have been like when God’s chosen purpose for her became clear.
Face to face with His angel, hearing the words of being chosen to conceive the long-awaited Messiah, must have been both thrilling and scary! So much responsibility, so many miracles needed, so much reputation to be lost, so many things to consider. Overwhelmed would be the word of the day, I think!
Before Mary would actually become pregnant by the Spirit, she had to think about it all. Her response was the key to it all. Would she say no, denying man the miracle of a savior? Would she risk her own reputation, her preconceived life plan, her possible loss of Joseph?
We are faced with those same questions every day in our lives. Will we open ourselves up to what God has for us? Will we stop caring so much about what others think and just do the right thing or be who we are? Will we submit our will and plans for our future to God, trusting Him with it? Will we move beyond our own understanding of what is possible for ourselves, our kids, our spouses, ourselves, our community, our world? Will we accept that if God says it is so, He will do the impossible? Will we understand that His ways might look different but they are full of possibilities that change us and the world around us?
Mary had to accept that Father knows best. She had to consider carefully what it means to open herself up to the Spirit of the Living God. Her life was never the same and her decision impacted the world eternally.
What is facing you today? Challenges of health, finances, family, relationships, career? God is the God of impossibilities. (Matthew 19:26)
What might be possible if you open your heart to the Spirit of God and let Him breath His life into the situations?
Consider you might become pregnant with the Spirit and deliver the plans of God to the world. That no doubt would change a lot of things, wouldn’t it?
Ironically, I went through the final stages of this very process only just yesterday. However, it has been a building theme over the last couple weeks. It is good to get to the place where you desire God above all else, and can trust to chose him and his way for your life.