Thoughts for another day

December 21, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 1:38. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

To a simple village girl of Nazareth, just betrothed to a man and about to be living with him shortly, comes an awesome visitor, the angel Gabriel, who abides in the tremendous Presence of God, and he has a startling message for her, when he tells her that she has found favor with God and has been chosen to be His vessel on earth to birth His Son, without intercourse, who was destined to be the Savior of men.

Imagine Mary's shock at the message; everything was normal a few moments ago, and now this!  She was troubled and had a question for she was a virgin; and Gabriel allayed her fears saying, 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of you, shall be called the Son of God.'  In that moment her whole world would have spun before her, so many questions would've clouded her mind and so many anxieties would have flooded her.  What if anyone hears of her pregnancy without being with Joseph?  She would be stoned to death!  But Mary, had faith in God and her heart opened up and simply said, 'Look, I am the servant of God and let it be done to me according to your word!' 

Simple words, humbly accepting God's will even in the face of imminent danger to life; but they were said and so it happened that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary!  Today let's look at our lives:  Jesus comes to us and like he did with Mary, asks us to open ourselves to Him.  Do we do that?  Maybe, maybe not, for remember, the price is high.  Sometimes, sacrificing for our God can be very costly but know that God asks us, not for small pithy things we can easily give, but for great things and He is worthy of our best.  Yet, do we submit to His request?  Do we trust Him in humility and agree saying, 'Thy will be my life.'  Measure this out in yourself, even as you celebrate Christmas, which happened because of one who accepted God's will.  Can you say you will please Him Who looks up to you to accede to His will?