PRO & CON LIST
Day 72: Yesterday I said that Elizabeth, the elderly mother of John the Baptist, was more than an octogenarian mom. Her response to being a small part of God's very big plan did not loose sight of His loving kindness toward her, His own beloved child. In the midst of the blessing, her heart did not get sidetracked by the gift, but first savored the love of the Giver. So that, and other reasons, makes her my role model. As the story continues in Luke, another is added to my list.
This time, however, the woman I want to emulate isn't a woman at all - just a girl with very big faith. Six months after the Angel visited Zechariah with the news that Elizabeth would be a late-life mommy, he visited a young bride-to-be. She was in the midst of thinking about her own wedding. As my friend Pam likes to say, she was probably busy picking her colors: would they be brown or - brown? So many decisions to make. So many plans to dream about as she considered what life would be like with her intended, Joseph.
Then, quite unexpectedly, an Angel appears.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”... “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Clearly Mary had questions... just not the ones you might think. I would have asked: God has noticed me? Are you sure you have the right girl? Is a King really coming back to Israel? Does Joesph know about this?The baby name Jesus has a ring to it, but can I make suggestions? How will he reign forever?
But those are not her questions at all. Hers is far more basic: "How can this be, for I am a virgin?"
After a quick Q & A with Gabriel about the birds and the bees, (for virgins don't just "conceive and give birth") the Angel explained that hers would be a supernatural conception - her child would be the Son of God.
Zechariah asked the very same question that Mary asked, "How can this be...?" Yet he received a rebuke and a consequence while Mary received a detailed answer. Why was she answered gently and he was answered harshly? I think the reason becomes clear with her very next response:
"MAY IT BE TO ME AS YOU HAVE SAID."
Zachariah's question came from a place of unbelief as the angel had pointed out. Mary's came from a desire to understand how God would accomplish what He had declared. Her question came from a place of great faith. She believed what the angel declared as he left her: "FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD."
Mary did not stop to consider if she wanted to obey. She didn't make a pro/con list about becoming pregnant before marriage - even if it was God's child. Few in her circle would believe the origin of her baby? She was certain to be spurned. And what of Joseph?
Skeptics might say Mary's youth made her naive. History proves it was her faith that made her courageous. Saying yes to the life God planned for her would come at a great price - yet she didn't even hesitate. Instead, when she went to see Elizabeth - the only woman on earth who would understand her situation - she, too, settled her heart in regards to God's favor.
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
Day 72 of 365
Numbers 21
Numbers 22:1-20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
This time, however, the woman I want to emulate isn't a woman at all - just a girl with very big faith. Six months after the Angel visited Zechariah with the news that Elizabeth would be a late-life mommy, he visited a young bride-to-be. She was in the midst of thinking about her own wedding. As my friend Pam likes to say, she was probably busy picking her colors: would they be brown or - brown? So many decisions to make. So many plans to dream about as she considered what life would be like with her intended, Joseph.Then, quite unexpectedly, an Angel appears.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”... “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Clearly Mary had questions... just not the ones you might think. I would have asked: God has noticed me? Are you sure you have the right girl? Is a King really coming back to Israel? Does Joesph know about this?The baby name Jesus has a ring to it, but can I make suggestions? How will he reign forever?
But those are not her questions at all. Hers is far more basic: "How can this be, for I am a virgin?"
After a quick Q & A with Gabriel about the birds and the bees, (for virgins don't just "conceive and give birth") the Angel explained that hers would be a supernatural conception - her child would be the Son of God.
Zechariah asked the very same question that Mary asked, "How can this be...?" Yet he received a rebuke and a consequence while Mary received a detailed answer. Why was she answered gently and he was answered harshly? I think the reason becomes clear with her very next response:
"MAY IT BE TO ME AS YOU HAVE SAID."
Mary did not stop to consider if she wanted to obey. She didn't make a pro/con list about becoming pregnant before marriage - even if it was God's child. Few in her circle would believe the origin of her baby? She was certain to be spurned. And what of Joseph?
Skeptics might say Mary's youth made her naive. History proves it was her faith that made her courageous. Saying yes to the life God planned for her would come at a great price - yet she didn't even hesitate. Instead, when she went to see Elizabeth - the only woman on earth who would understand her situation - she, too, settled her heart in regards to God's favor.
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
Two women. Two stories. Two life plans that merge at the will of God. Two imperfect but available and willing people, who had they looked at only the price of obeying God, would have missed the glories of following God.
Some things just can't be decided by a pro/con list.
Following God at any cost is one of them.
That is where the greatest adventures in life will be found if you believe the life stories of these women of faith. I do.
Day 72 of 365
Numbers 21
Numbers 22:1-20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
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