Luke 1:38 (ESV)
If you’ve ever heard the story about the birth of Jesus Christ, then you’re sure to have heard about His earthly mother, Mary. We can really only guess her age when the angel Gabriel paid her a visit with a life-changing message. Can you imagine being 13 or 14 and being told you’re going to be impregnated by a Holy Spirit?
Ummm, I’m guessing not.
Mary’s story is like no other. She was just a girl doing her thing, making plans to be married and begin a life with her husband, Joseph. But God. He had a plan and she was a major part of it.
She could’ve said no. She could’ve taken all the presumptions of the things that could go wrong and simply said, “nah, I’m good, but thanks for the offer,” and went on her merry way. Get it. Merry way. Mary way. Her way. Ok, moving on.
Mary wasn’t given the big picture, she was given a snapshot of what was coming. She didn’t phone a friend or ask family for advice. She didn’t say, let me pray on it and get back to you, she simply said:
…“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” …
Luke 1:38 (ESV)
Mary’s faith and trust in the Lord is mind blowing. Don’t you agree? Is it any wonder why God chose her to be the mother of His precious Son, Jesus? God didn’t just choose Mary on a whim. He knew her. He created her for a purpose, and this was all part of His master plan.
Mary had no idea until that point and time that God had this plan for her. She could’ve been doing any number of things when the angel came upon her. She could’ve been washing the dishes, taking care of the kids, going to work, getting her hair done, wondering why she was put on the earth, or crying over the latest Hallmark Christmas movie. Any of those things sound familiar?
Just like me, just like you, Mary was living her life. Was it a fulfilling life? Did she ponder her life purpose and wait for it to happen? I don’t know, but it seems to me she was making plans to be married like any bride-to-be, would do. She was simply living her life and preparing for the next chapter.
And isn’t that what we do? We make our plans and think we have all the things figured out and then suddenly, without warning a plot twist shows up.
Do you think Mary saw the plot twist of an angel showing up and saying, “hey, girl, heyyyy,” do I got some good news for you”! I’m guessing, she did not!
But when this sudden plot twist of a moment came upon her she didn’t run. She listened. When the angel finished what he needed to say, she simply asked:
Luke 1:34 (ESV)
Good question! She didn’t start guessing and creating her own version of what was to happen. She got right to the point. In turn, the angel didn’t dilly dally with his answer, he said:
Luke 1:35 (ESV)
Do you think her jaw dropped to the floor at that answer? I could almost hear my own flippant answer. “Psshhhtt! Is that all? Well, glory to God in the highest indeed”! But this story isn’t about me. Thank the Lord!
What I’m trying to say here is, Mary was just a girl, living in the moment, doing all the “normal” every day things. God saw her. God knew her. God created her.
I’m just a girl. God sees me. God knows me. God created me.
You’re just a girl. God sees you. God knows you. God created you.
But, being just a girl was never His plan for Mary. It’s not His plan for me. It’s not His plan for you.
When you’re a child of the Most High God, you’re never “just a _________________________”
You’re part of His master plan. You have purpose.
Mary didn’t know when her “suddenly” was going to happen until it did. She would have more “suddenly” moments throughout her life. God didn’t say, “here you go, Mary, good luck with this monumental task” and leave her alone. No, He was with her, wherever she was.
Our “suddenly” moments typically change the course of our lives in ways we didn’t see coming. Just like Mary we have a choice to make. Panic and run or trust the plan God has for each of us. There’s a reason things are permitted in our lives.
Remember, Mary only got a snippet of the big picture. As much as we’d like to think we’re in control, God is the only One who owns the BIG picture. He knows exactly how all the pieces fit together and it will always be for the good and the glory of His Kingdom.
We may not understand. We may not agree, and that’s ok. As much as we think we do, we don’t need all the details. In all honesty, those details can keep us from moving forward in trust or moving forward at all. Why? Because we invent things in our head that most likely will never come to pass. I can’t count the number of times the things I’ve planned haven’t even come close to panning out. Thank you, Jesus!
My friends, whatever snippet you’ve been given as part of the bigger picture, will you trust God with the outcome? Can we follow Mary’s great example and say:
Luke 1:38 (ESV)
Merry Christmas my friends! I pray you know how very much the God of the universe LOVES YOU! After all, He sent His greatest and most precious gift to us. His name is Jesus ~ Emmanuel ~ God is with US!
Blessed to be Broken 