Advent: Dec. 07 // Obedience

As I sit here listening to the song Mary, Did You Know?, I am led to think about the moment when Gabriel came to deliver news to Mary. I envision her in the kitchen, doing her normal evening routine, and suddenly, this angel appears. I imagine Mary jumps from being startled and stares with disbelief that there is an angel in her kitchen. Then, she hears Gabriel say in Luke 1:30-33:
 
Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you will call His name Jesus.
He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and His kingdom will have no end.
 
I imagine this young lady, a virgin, would be frightened by this news, but Mary responds in a way that is unimaginable in Luke 1:38:
 
"See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it
happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

As the song says “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?” The answer? No, Mary did not know the greatness her baby boy was going to bring to each of us. But she did know that God chose her to have a son, and she was faithful to Him in this blessing.

When I read this account of Mary, I’m reminded of a time in my life when I was faced with the decision to give up my teaching career, which I pursued after completing my Masters in Elementary Education, to take a position at The Ridge as Kids Director. I took this opportunity, even though I was uncertain of how the new role would fit into my life. I took a leap of faith, and I can’t even begin to explain the blessing this new career has been to me and my family.
 
Often we are faced with challenges, or maybe even callings that could seem unrealistic. What if we had faith like that of Mary’s? What if we obeyed God’s calling for each of us and were confident in His plan? I challenge you to be like Mary in the next opportunity God gives you, proclaiming “I am the Lord’s servant, may it happen to me as you have said.”

Faith // Obedience | Jill Wargo