Waiting

Luke 1:26-38

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be Mary, the mother of Jesus? She was a young teen, somewhere between the age of 12 and 14 when she found out she was pregnant. She was raised in a Jewish family that loved God. She was engaged to be married to Joseph, a devoutly faithful man, when God sent the angel Gabriel to tell her she would bear a son named Jesus. Imagine what she must have felt when she received this news. She likely felt scared, anxious, and alone. What would this mean for her life, her family, and her reputation? Would Joseph still want to marry her?

Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel was this: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me, according to your word.” She leaned in and trusted God and His perfect plan even though she did not know what that would mean for her life, her reputation, or her future. The one thing she was certain of was the Lord and His will for her life. She knew He could be trusted and what He had planned would be best. What faith! What trust! And at such a young age.

Prayer:

Lord, grant us faith to say with Mary, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me, according to your word.”

Question to consider:

How can remembering the Lord and the life of Mary be a comfort and encouragement to you, especially when it seems that life is out of control and nothing is working according to your plan?