God’s Way Or The Highway

This is one of my favorite times of the year for the same reason December may be yours -- because this is when I have the privilege of sitting down and writing the script for the yearly Christmas pageant!

Of course, this will not be performed for four months, but the “behind the scenes” prep starts now. Every summer when I begin this process, I once again immerse myself in this love story of an unsuspecting couple, an array of characters from a donkey to Wisemen, who collectively experience an event that would change their lives AND the world forever.  I have read this story countless times and crafted many scripts to try to encapsulate the magnitude of what takes place… and it never ceases to impact me in ways that always challenge me.

Today we read from Luke 1:26-33

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

- Luke 1:26-33

Picture this young woman simply going through life, planning a wedding, envisioning a future, and then in one short visit – from an angel no less – a request is made that would change her life forever. I would imagine if you could track Mary’s emotions in that brief encounter it would have run the gamut.

Whenever I read this, I can't help but think what would I have done in that situation. If the world needed me to fulfill this request, history may have turned out quite differently.

When you are faced with a challenge, a request or intrusion into your well-organized life – even more importantly, a clear nudging from God – what is your response? The affirmation of knowing you are valued and loved by God is powerful, but does that motivate you to say “yes” to God, like Mary did in Luke 1:38?

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

- Luke 1:38

Mary!! How did you come to that conclusion so quickly, and with what seems to be no input from the world around you? There didn’t seem to be any googling information, phoning a friend, or asking for time to ponder all the many options before you…

Just this: “May your word to me be fulfilled.” The simplicity and beauty of this statement is empowering.

God has shown her favor; He would like her to do this for Him, and without hesitation -- she said yes.

Does Mary know something we don't? Was it easier way back then to do the right thing?

Those questions might be easier to discern than what can be the obvious truth -- adhering your life to God’s will can be challenging, to say the least.

God, I do desire your favor; I just don’t know if I have the capacity to always live in Your will.

Ouch... I know that hurts. Believe me, I feel it when the God-nudge is so strong that I almost fall over, but still conform to my own will.

Even though God says…

Be patient.

Be kinder.

Love more.

And… Wait on me.

When I read those words back to myself it sounds so doable, but when I am in the heat of everyday life, the sense of God’s nudging can be easily ignored. That is why I am continually in awe of Mary and her undeniable obedience.

Clearly, Mary had a previous agenda, but moving from her will to God’s will seemed effortless.

Friends, sometimes we exert more “effort” in avoiding God’s will due to stubbornness, pride, or even fear, but my hope for you and me is that we could recognize God’s nudging, and more importantly, be willing to surrender to His will.

Pastor Heidi