"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. -Luke 1:38
"May it be to me as you have said."
That is what he asks for.
He asks for our willingness and our commitment in the moment. Not later, but at the time in which He asks us. Had Mary refused, who would be our Savior? Had she asked to wait until after marriage so as not to be looked down upon, would the story be as significant?
Would we still be living life just to live, getting through from one day to the next?
Did Mary know the plans brewing inside her stomach? Could she fathom the riches for all of man when she said those simple words?
"I am the Lord's servant."
He does not ask all of us to bear a child or lead a nation. In fact, He asks most of us only for our acceptance. But, the bigger the task He appoints you, the richer your reward. Mary bore a child out of wedlock in a time in which that was considered an ultimate disgrace. He became the Savior of nations. David was called to singlehandedly defeat a giant and became the greatest king of Israel.
He rewards obedience.
He delights in our abidance.
He adores our sacrifice.
What is He asking of you? Is it simply a fast from something? Is it a lifestyle change, a breakup, an investment in someone? He will put it on your heart and let you wrestle, but the only thing that will satisfy His calling is for it to be as He has said.
He will not lead you blindly. He loves to hold your hand. He admires your courage and delights in your strength.
He has written you a story; one of action, joy, love, and beauty. He will not let you fall. The thing He may be calling you from could be the most important thing in your life, but he will prosper that obedience. He will answer prayers you did not know existed. His promises stand through time. He does not change His mind.
He loves.
He loves you and me and the girl down the block and your first grade teacher and buddha and the news anchor and the woman in the store and the man on the motorcycle and the doctor and homeless man you avoided eye contact with and people who have hurt you and the people who will hurt you and the people you have hurt.
And do you know what?
He is still going to tomorrow.
He is going to whether you tell Him, "May it be to me as you have said."
He is going to whether you know who the "He" I write about is.
He is going to when you mess up.
He is going to when you forget He will.
But He does not ever leave us.
Does the fact that He loves us regardless mean we do not have to obey? On the contrary, it should spark us with interest. It should ignite our love. We are fueled by grace; by the fact that we undeservedly walk on His creation daily without barriers.
Before we can appreciate all He does for us, we have to agree that none of it belongs to us. He rules over all of it and blesses all of it and blossoms all of it.
When we remember that nothing we have is owed to us, every last bit of it has been given, it is much easier to sacrifice.
When it comes down to it, we do not have a reason to covet our belongings. Give it back. Enjoy what He has blessed you with, but if He is asking you to return it so that He can bless you again, give it up. He delights in rewarding us. He has so much for us.
But sometimes holding onto what we have does not leave room for the new gifts he wants to give us. Does a living room have space for two sets of furniture? He us wants to have the new blessings.
He loves to spoil us.
Do not forget how good He is.
When He comes to you, asking to give you more in exchange for the little you have now, will you accept?
Will you be fueled by His grace or pout for your loss?
Will you humbly declare, "I am the Lord's servant."
Will you say to Him, "May it be to me as you have said."
He rejoices in nothing more than the acceptance and obedience of His children.
Be bold in His love.
0 comments:
Post a Comment