Whatever you say …

Put yourself in Mary’s shoes.

You’re a teenage girl. You’re engaged to be married to the man of your dreams. You’re in love, and the thrill of being loved back consumes you with joy. You dream constantly of your future with Joseph. It won’t be the lifestyle of the rich and famous, but it will be good.

Suddenly, an angel appears and delivers a message that shreds your dreams.

You’re going to become pregnant supernaturally. That will not only ruin your reputation, but a lot of folks will want to stone you to death. Your parents will be deeply disappointed in you. Who knows what Joseph may want to do.

All the excitement and dreams and hopes you had a moment ago are gone. It seems God has a vastly different picture for your future. It’s going to be your job to be the mother of the Messiah. The days and years ahead will be nothing like you’ve envisioned in your short life thus far.

How does this teenage girl respond to this life-altering news?

“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’ And then the angel left her,” Luke 1:38.

Not a word of push-back.

Not a moment of entertaining her own desires for a different, easier life.

Just one clarifying question, “Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin’,” Luke 1:34, and then her response.

It appears that it never occurred to Mary to be obstinate, argumentative, or to object to God’s will for her. She listened to the angel, Gabriel, deliver a personal message from God, then she immediately accepted it.

“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true,” she stated.

Not, “Come back and talk to me about this after my wedding.” Not, “I’m way too young to handle something like this.” Not, “But this isn’t how I envisioned my life!” Not, “What will people think about me being pregnant?”

Mary saw herself as being the Lord’s servant, and He had a plan that included using her life to fulfill His purpose and bring Him glory.

In that case, ” … May everything you have said about me come true.”

More than marrying the man of her dreams, more than making her parents proud, more than indulging her own wants for a happy life, Mary wanted to to serve the Lord. Is it any wonder, then, that Gabriel would say, “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” (Luke 1:30).

How do you respond to God’s will for your life? Do you make yourself available to being the Lord’s servant like Mary did? Or do you try to edit God’s will for you?

Scotty