One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is re-read the story of Jesus’ birth. Every year without fail, I am struck anew with awe and wonder. This year, as I was reading the gospel of Luke, what stood out to me was the virgin Mary’s response to the unbelievable news that she would bear a son:
“The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35
I was imagining myself in Mary’s shoes. She could not see what was being arranged in the courts of heaven. She could not see the legions of angels standing guard just waiting to protect and provide for her and her baby. She had no idea how this seemingly impossible event of conceiving a baby through supernatural means would take place. And yet, check out her response:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38
She simply believed. She knew that God had spoken to her and that was enough. She didn’t have a clue how her future was going to pan out (as the chosen mother of the Son of God!), but she knew who held her future–her Father in heaven. And she knew that whatever He spoke to her would come to pass even if she didn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle yet – like the how, when or where. She simply believed.
There is so much to glean from the incredibly obedient response of Mary. When God speaks to us, He already has everything ready to make it happen. We might not be able to see it yet, but Mary shows us that’s not our responsibility. Our job is not to have all the details, the plans or the means. Our job is to believe–that He will do it.
When we choose to put our absolute trust in Him and His words spoken to us, we will experience great blessing and provision beyond our wildest imagination. Believing is the one pre-requisite to receiving His abundant supply of love, wisdom, protection and provision in all things.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1).
Mary probably never could have dreamed what would later result from her childlike faith in believing what she could not see. Jesus our (and her) Savior was born!
What is God speaking to you today? As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, set aside some time to open your ears to listen. And when God’s words come and they seem too unbelievable to believe, remember Mary’s response and say, “May it be to me Lord, according to your word.”
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and faith-filled New Year!