Mary's Song...

I realize it's the Easter season.  Don't think I've finally, officially lost it.  I haven't.  I just woke up thinking about Mary.

Luke 1:26-33 introduces us to Mary and shares her part in the great story.  "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you."  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of this father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."  

Mary was greatly troubled, but her response is foundational to all we believe; "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." (verse 38).


When you look past the history we know about this story and how it played out in the end, you see how troubling this actually was.  Mary, a virgin, pledged to be married is found with child.  That's scandalous.  Mary, a young girl with no means of taking care of herself and a child should her betrothed abandon her.  That's terrifying.  Mary, a girl still living in her parents' home hiding an "immaculate" conception.  That's not only deceptive, it appears to be insane.



Although Jesus' birth is a miracle for us, in the beginning it was troubling news to Mary. Mary asked the question we would ask: How? The angel gives her the details and the answer to the how. But the most important thing he tells her is this: "For nothing is impossible with God."


Mary's response was simple. "May it be to me as you have said." I'm certain Mary didn't say those words idly. I'm certain that even as a young girl Mary knew the consequences. I'm certain she knew the repercussions. I'm certain she knew the risks. But even as a young girl Mary humbled herself, calmed her fears and submitted to God's will for her life... even this.


Not many of us can say we've been visited by angels. Not many of us can say we've been given great news by an angel sent from God.

Most of us can say that we've received news that shook us to the core. And like Mary, most of us can say that we were "greatly troubled."


Your angel's message may be your boss. Your news may be downsizing.

Your angel's message may come through a lawyer. Your news may be divorce.

Your angel's message may come by way of an officer. Your news may be your child arrested.

Your angel's message may be the bank. Your news may be a repossession.

Your angel's message may be your doctor. Your news may be cancer.

But the underlying answer, the final thought on the matter is the same as Mary's; "Nothing is impossible with God."


Mary's song goes like this: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation..." Luke 1:46-50


I have faced the news of my angel. My news was cancer. I weighed the consequences and I faced my fears. But even in light of what the end might be I have come to know in a very personal way that "nothing is impossible with God." It doesn't make sense to anyone else, but I know that even in this I have found favor with God.


I have prayed for many years for God to heal my broken heart. It is only since I've had to face a broken body that the healing has come. I have learned what it means to surrender your own will and submit to God's will...even when it doesn't make sense. I have learned to say, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirt rejoices in God my Savior."


What will your response be? When the angel gives you the news will you consider yourself "highly favored?" When you ask the hard questions, the how questions and the why questions, how will you respond to the answers? Will you ponder the consequences? Will you weigh the repercussions? And when you see how badly this can go, when you see how tragically this may end, will you see God's glory in it all, respond humbly and submit to his will? Will you answer, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said"?


Only By His Grace,


billie