This morning the Holy Spirit led me to Luke 1. Not an unlikely Book to go to given the season we're in, but it's been awhile since I've been in the Synoptic Gospels during my quiet time with God.
I find myself struck by Mary and her response to the angel Gabriel. "I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)
There's no whining, no unbelief, no "I'm not good enough", no "why me?". Just yes, Lord - I am yours, Lord - I pray it will be so.
I pray that I could be so ready with a resounding "Yes, Lord! I am Your servant, Lord!" when He calls.
And then Mary visits Elizabeth, her cousin who is also with child, and they greet one another and then Mary bursts into song - just like a musical! Okay, she may not have literally sung this psalm, but it is beautiful. What makes it beautiful is that she is all about glorifying the Lord and that the first thing she wants to do when she sees her cousin is to do just that! Not the latest gossip, not the update on how in the world did you get pregnant since you're so advanced in years... It is all about Him. It's all about Him.
When I think about the women God has brought in and out of my life, the friends who are dearest to me are the ones where proclaiming the glory of Christ, singing His praises, sharing about the work God is doing in us is the primary reason for our relationship. Oh, sure, we talk about other things like our children, our relationships, etc. But the primary reason we're even friends is because of Christ. I am grateful for these beautiful women - they minister to me, to my soul in so many ways.
None of us will give birth to the Son of God. Mary alone was chosen to do that. But God has chosen you for something too. He has called you and he has called me to be a part of His Kingdom Cause. He has placed you and me in this day, this time, this place for a specific reason. I pray that we can be Mary's today! Yes, Lord! "May it be to me as you have said." Yes!
I leave you with Mary's song - it is beautiful. The Lord is beautiful. The works of His Hands are beautiful. There is beauty all around - seek it out, find it, it is there!
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said:
"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."
Side note: The other afternoon I was driving my boys over to a relative's house and my son, Lane, looked out his window and exclaimed, "Mommy! Look at that sunset! God made that for us!" My heart just about burst with joy! The beauty of God's creation stirring the heart of my almost-four-year-old son... He is stirring yours too!
