Yesterday we considered Joseph, today I ask you to consider the mama. Mary. If anyone in the world ever had the right to feel inadequate to face a task, it was Mary. Imagine, you are young, very young, and unmarried and asked to become the mother of the Savior. Wow! I cannot even fathom it!
Today, don’t detach from the reality of this event. Instead, embrace the truth of it all. It actually happened, that when God was ready to send His Son to the earth in order to offer salvation to the world, He didn’t choose an older woman. He didn’t choose someone who had given birth before. He didn’t consider what the world would consider, just like when David was chosen to be king, Mary was probably not at all who others would have chosen.
But God doesn’t look on the outward appearance, He looks at the heart, and in Mary’s heart He saw something good. Even though she was young and inexperienced with life, God found her to be highly favored.
When certain details about Jesus and His future were revealed to her, she had the self-control to ponder them in her heart. She had maturity beyond her years, and I dare say she had a deeper understanding of what exactly was at stake.
Her only response to the angel that spoke to her before she conceived was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Imagine that kind of surrender and trust. Still, wouldn’t it seem so huge to be tasked with raising Jesus Christ?! I cannot conceive of it.
Today I challenge you with this….. Is there anything God has been calling you to do, and you have felt inadequate to walk it out? Do you think, “I can’t worship the way ______ worships because I am inadequate.” Or, “I could never _______ because I am inadequate.”
If these thoughts feel familiar, then I encourage you to consider….Mary.
If she could do it, then so can you. If she could trust God with her life and reputation, you can too. If she could trust God to walk her through how to raise the Son of God, then you too can trust God to walk you through anything He places before you.
Don’t let thoughts of inadequacy stand in the way of you and your calling!
Let the words of Mary’s song encourage your heart:
“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. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.” Luke 1:46-55
365 Days in the Presence 