Here we are, in the midst of Lent. And today is the Annunciation. The day the Archangel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to give birth to the saviour of the world. And I thought I’d had a challenging week.
So let’s see. Mary is just going about her business–maybe preparing a meal or sweeping the floor when Gabriel appears and says, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke tells us that Mary was troubled by this greeting. That tells me she was a smart girl–she picked up on something unusual here.
Then the angel said, “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.” And what did Mary say? She asked the practical question–how in the world will all that happen when I’m a virgin?
So Gabriel explained how it would work and what did Mary come back with? I know I would have asked if God could please find someone else. But Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.”
Today is a good day to think about how often we whine over what God has given us to do. There are days when I wonder why in the world He asked me to write a book. Isn’t He going to arrange to have it published? Isn’t He going to use it to reach people? And if He hasn’t arranged an agent, publisher and fat advance for the first book, why is He asking me to write another?
I am the Lord’s servant. Not his guide, not his counselor or advisor. I am His servant. Mary didn’t have it easy–she was an unwed mother who gave birth to child who knew more than she did. She watched that child die a horrible death at a young age. I’m betting she doesn’t regret a minute of it. Seems like that’s the least I could do.