I can not imagine being told that I will give birth to the Almighty. (Luke 1:30-31,35) "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... the Holy Spirit will come upon you... so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." "Abba Father, I've never been with a man. I am pledged to Joseph. How can this be? Why choose me?" How unfathomable! I can just imagine the fears and questions that must have run through Mary's mind! Yet, even though she was trouble, there was joy... there was peace... she trusted God.
I try to cross out the fact that I know this story truly did happen. Sitting in my chair, I close my eyes. I try to imagine myself as Mary... 2000 years ago... hearing this for the first time... grasping the thought that it is me the angel is speaking to. In all honesty, I can't imagine what I would think. Mary was chosen for a very specific reason. God, in his sovereignty, knew she would respond in love and servitude. (Luke 1:38) " 'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' "
The Bible is clear that God has a purpose for each one of his children. He has gifted us all differently. I am challenged. Is my heart open enough to be sensitive and responsive to when God calls me to a specific ministry? A specific purpose? There are daily tasks that I am called to: being the mom God created me to be, serving and loving my husband, and so on... But am I listening for the instructions he might be giving me for only a short period of time? A day? Or perhaps a year? Do I get too caught up in daily tasks that I have stopped listening? I pray not. "Lord, what do you have for me to do this day? Help me to hear and believe."
It's easy to get caught up in our everday lives and not take time to listen to what God is saying to us. I find myself doing that far to often.
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