Luke 1:37-38 “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.

What the angel said to Mary was not unique to this occasion; it is expressed several times throughout the Bible. However, this is perhaps the simplest, most direct expression of it. Gabriel had just used an example that Mary could relate to, her relative Elizabeth being pregnant, so Mary was far more likely to believe it on a personal level, especially since the incredible thing she had just been told related to she herself becoming pregnant. Even so, Mary’s response is exceptional, and an example for mankind for all eternity. It’s hard to imagine the level of faith and trust that she expressed here. The consequences to her were enormous, and potentially devastating. We don’t know how she felt about Joseph at this point, but the recent movie, The Nativity, probably got it pretty closely. She was risking losing Joseph, certainly facing a lot of shame, and possibly even being stoned. Come to think of it, though, since Gabriel specifically said “the child to be born,” she probably wasn’t too worried about the last possibility, at least not until after the birth. At any rate, her trust level was through the roof. Thinking about her, Heidi Baker comes to mind as someone who is just that much in love with God. That helps me understand that the key to trusting God more is loving Him more. I’m sure Joseph understood that he was #2 in Mary’s heart!

Mary is a real challenge to me, as she is to every believer. I know that my love/trust level has a long way to grow! The key for me now is to live out the love and trust I have currently, because that is the surest way to help them grow. My father’s catch phrase of “Give all you know of yourself to all you know of Christ” certainly applies. If I am not staying up-to-date with my commitment, my faith will stagnate. I’ve just talked about how faith and love go hand in hand, but Jesus made it very clear that obedience is also indivisible from faith and love. If I love and trust Him, I will certainly obey Him, and the degree to which I fail to obey Him is a clear indication of my lack of faith and love.

Father, thank You for this clear challenge to love, trust, and obey You more. Help me accept it fully, even as Mary did. I know I don’t have it in me unless You put it there, so that’s what I’m asking for. May I be the child and the servant that You desire, doing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!