Week 21
Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, ‘I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel left her.”
One of the most basic elements of a healthy perspective of life is this: We are not our own; we are the Lord’s.
Many people wrongly view their lives as manifestations of their ontological self; they see life’s meaning, direction, rules, and destiny as being wrapped up in their personal wishes, perspectives, and preferences. But no one belongs to themselves, and there is no human life that exists outside the context of divine creation and purpose.
Mary’s experience surely provides a keen insight into this truism. The angel of the Lord came to inform Mary that God had a plan that included her. Her life’s meaning and purpose were to be found in God’s will, way, and work that He had chosen for her. To be specific, she was to bear the only begotten Son of God! What an incredible plan! And she was to be an integral part of God’s accomplishment of His covenantal history of redemption.
And yet, on a personal level in Mary’s life, this required faith, submission, and willingness to do what God wanted. God chose Mary, He did not ask for her acquiescence. Mary was to see herself as God’s chosen vessel to accomplish the specific responsibility that God had planned for her. God was using Mary to fulfill His divine plan in and through the life of Jesus. And Mary needed to submit to God’s plan. And submit she did. She submitted in faith and in dependence upon the Lord.
No one can ever reproduce the task that was given to Mary, but there are some important aspects of this story that resonate with every Christian’s life. God made the decision what Mary’s life’s work would be; God also chooses us for the vocations and responsibilities of life that He wants for us. Mary was called by God to yield to His righteous and perfect plan; God also calls us to surrender to His leadership in this life. But will we submit, as Mary did? Submission in faith and obedience puts us in the center of God’s plan and action. There is no better place to be!
Christian friend, we too must remember that the meaning of our lives is wrapped up in God’s will and way. Our relationship with the Lord through Christ and the meaning of our life existence are rooted in our humble and submissive obedience to the Lord’s call. Do not be afraid to say, “yes”, to the Lord; He is good and wise. You can trust Him to do what is right in your life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see my life as a stewardship to You and Your plan. Help me to be obedient and faithful to Your call in my life. Thank you for giving me the grace to know You in Christ and to know Your will in my life. Lead me in keeping with Your will; I surrender to You. Amen.