Luke 1:37-37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

When a passage becomes so familiar that you can quote it in two languages without every having tried to memorize it, the impact can easily be dulled. With Scripture, that is a tremendous waste! Gabriel’s statement is one we can quote but still have trouble believing emotionally. We are so quick to pull God down to our own level in our thinking. That of course doesn’t change God any, but it can have a drastic effect on our faith. It would seem Mary didn’t have that problem! And of course, her response to Gabriel is a a model for believers down through the centuries. Even when we understand what God wants to do in and through us, we can be very slow to submit our wills to His. Mary, however, does not seem to have hesitated, even though what had been told her would have drastic consequences in the short run, and she hadn’t been told the long term benefits. We today need not only to believe that God can do anything, we need to give Him full permission to use us in the process, whatever that means.

I am reminded of the story of my father lying prostrate on the floor, crying out to God that if he was standing in the way of revival in Japan, that God would take him out of the way. That was Mary’s attitude, and I need to have the same. I want God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done, whatever that means for me personally. In the short term it could mean almost anything, but in the long term it will mean blessing and glory, and I need to remember that. I cannot dictate to God how He will use me, and I had better not try. I think I did a bit of that in the past! Rather, I need to hold myself available, being faithful in my obedience in all that I know He has for me to do. Faith like Mary’s is a gift, but we arrive at it through exercising the faith we already have, whatever the level or degree. As I keep telling others to do, I need to get my eyes off of myself and what I can do or can’t do, and fix them on God who can do anything, even through me.

Father, thank You for this reminder, particularly after a day like yesterday. I was tired from the outset, yet You were faithful to use me, speaking a message through me that evidently blessed many, and giving me energy to get through Gospel Choir practice and Joint Choir practice, with both turning out pretty well. The schedule is packed for the next three weeks, but You are more than able to carry me through it all, with good results for Your glory. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, as You intend. Thank You. Hallelujah!