LEARNING DAILY

Luke 1:30, And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

I know this season has many who write about the cast of individuals mentioned in the events of Jesus’ birth; I do enjoy reading about the birth of Jesus and all that is related to it. This year I have been trying to consider what each person was thinking as the events involved them and how it relates to Believers today.

What an honor this was for Mary to have been told she had “found favor with God.” For Mary to have been chosen to fulfill the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:12 has to fill one with awe. The angel’s message indicates the divine plan beginning to happen; it was certainly a great trust that God put in Mary to give birth to His Son. Mary asked the angel, Gabriel, “How will this be?” Pastor Ed Newton in his daily devotional wrote to take notice of the faith in this question, she did not ask, “How can this be?” She believed from the start what God had said would happen, even if she did not understand how (EN). What a moment for Mary that shows her faith, humility, and acceptance of God’s will.

Consider for a moment God choosing you to carry out a task He has for you that is beyond your understanding, or that looks impossible for you. Would you be in shock or in awe, or fearful, or perhaps feel a deep sense of humility and honor? I wonder if Mary had any or all of these emotions? I do think that the verses about Gabriel’s meeting with Mary shows every Believer the power of faith and the importance of being open to God’s calling in their life.

 A key aspect to Mary’s calling was her willingness to surrender to what God called her to do; her response was to believe God was guiding her, and she accepted that with humility. She did not try to figure out what God was doing; she just trusted Him. The angel, Gabriel, told her to not be afraid because of the news he was going to give her. Is that not the message for Believers today – do not fear. Walking with the Lord on the narrow way is to walk in faith, believing He is guiding and directing you because you have given your life to Him. Just as Mary was to be led by Him, Believers today are to walk with Him when the days of an uncertain future are before them. Believers are to surrender their worries and fears to Him; in return He gives them His peace, a peace that surpasses understanding.

Like Mary, Believers today live in a world of uncertainty. The Lord asks us to surrender to His will in our lives knowing that He does know tomorrow. When Believers surrender to His will, like Mary, they show their willingness to place their faith and trust in Him which allows Him to work through them for His honor and His glory.

The question now is, are you willing to embrace the call on your life that God has for you.