Read: Luke 1:26-38
"And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'"
Luke 1:38
When I was 13 years old, I tried out for the local community baseball team. I’d played ball before, but never on a select team. I actually thought I did pretty well at tryouts, but not well enough. I wasn’t selected to be on the team. At the time, it wasn’t too big of a deal. My life was going in other directions, and baseball wasn’t a high priority to me. But, in principle, I hate not being chosen to be a part of something in which I want to be a participant. It is funny, though, when I look at tasks or teams I have volunteered for, it is usually something in which I want to participate. For example, I wanted to be a part of the baseball team, so I tried out. Rarely do any of us volunteer for something we don’t want to do.
What if God chose you for a calling that wasn’t exactly fun? What if He called you to an assignment you really didn’t want to do? Mary was chosen by God for a role within the redemptive plan that was very difficult. She, of all other women that have ever existed, was favored by God to carry and birth the incarnate Son of God. From our historical perspective, this seems like a great calling. I mean, she gets to do something no one else will ever be able to do. But the assignment wasn’t easy. People claimed she conceived Christ out of wedlock (John 8:41). Who would believe that she is a pregnant virgin? Virgins don’t have babies. When one looks at the situation in the context of Mary’s culture and life situation, her reputation was harmed because of it. Mary had to know that. She understood from the very beginning what her role would mean. She even asked Gabriel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The clear implication from Gabriel’s message was that she would become pregnant before she and Joseph consummated the marriage. Indeed, she would have a child that was not Joseph’s biological seed. And how did she respond to this call? What did she say to Gabriel? She said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” She humbly and righteously submitted to the will of the Lord.
Remember when Moses was called by God to go tell Pharaoh to “Let my people go!” (Exodus 3). Recall his response to Yahweh? I’ll paraphrase it: “Send someone else, Lord! I can’t speak well! I don’t want this assignment.” The great prophet of God, Moses, wilted under the pressure of God’s call, but not the young virgin, Mary. No, she responded in a way we all should: Yes, Lord, I am your servant; use me as you see fit.
•••
Prayer: Lord, give me the spirit of Mary. May I submit to your will no matter the call. May I wholeheartedly and honestly declare: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”