With the celebration of Christmas, I have been considering what this means for our lives today.
Mary was said to have found favor with God...
He choose her: a simple, small, girl to serve as the mother of His Son.
He chose her because her heart was pure.
But the message to me comes greatest in Mary's response and reception to what was about to happen in her life. Sure, Mary was greatly troubled at the news and she had her doubts about it...
but, she trusted completely in God with a pure, meek, and humble spirit.
Worry did not overcome her, she knew God was with her.
Worry did not overcome her, she knew God was with her.
"For nothing is impossible with God"...
when hearing this, Mary's whole hearted response was,
"Behold, I am the bondslave of the Lord"
Not only this, but "she treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart".
Mary knew what was necessary in quieting her heart and mind in order to dispose herself in prayer. Such prayer and dependence on God is what made her pure. Nobody can love Jesus more than Mary. And while I have fallen madly in love with Jesus through this Emmanuel experience... I want to love Him more + more.
Mary knew what was necessary in quieting her heart and mind in order to dispose herself in prayer. Such prayer and dependence on God is what made her pure. Nobody can love Jesus more than Mary. And while I have fallen madly in love with Jesus through this Emmanuel experience... I want to love Him more + more.
I have been the opposite of Mary. Proud, doubting + selfish with love have been my ways.
I want to be humble, but even in writing this... I am not.
" BE COMPLETELY HUMBLE + GENTLE, BE PATIENT,
BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE"
