Mary’s Calling
Photo by freebibleimages com
Written by Brenda Hale
For me numbers are very important. I measure parts and calculate numbers every day at work. They say a good blog needs to be around 800 words, but isn’t that just a number? Today I found out that more is not always better when it comes to words. The message is not dependent on the number of the words used. With a lot fewer words Luke in chapter one tells us the story of the annunciation. He gives a powerful message from a quiet day in the small town of Nazareth.
Luke 1:26-28
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
It must have been quite a beautiful site to have an angel appear and speak to you. I picture huge soft wings, a white flowing gown and engaging eyes. Feeling loved and being told you are special in the eyes of God, we all need that.
Luke 1:29-30
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
If you have something tugging on your heart right now and the main reason you don’t do it is fear, well watch out for it is a tool Satan often uses. Fear can take over if you are believing lies like these: “That is impossible.” “I’m not smart enough.” “I don’t have the time or finances.” “I am a bad person.”
Luke 1:31-33
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Only a woman with a strong faith and a servants heart could hear these amazing things and have only one question for the angel Gabriel.
Luke 1:34-35 and 38
“How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
She said YES and accepted it as God’s will. Mary wanted whatever God wanted, TRUST. No one was there to help her decide, not Joseph, her mother or even a friend. The spirit of God gave her peace, she felt His presence and trusted that feeling. Mary had no idea what this would mean for her life or for the whole world. Every LONG term plan needs someone to take that first step in faith and Mary did just that. Actually she didn’t even do anything right then, but submit her life to God.
Luke 1:36-37
“And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Consider this; the holy Spirit is tugging on your heart with something special for you to be a part of. It often seems like something is too big or too hard is because when you step out and do these things God has to open doors for you so it will be possible…that’s how it glorifies Him.
Every movement of God is for our sake, not God’s. Mary’s yes changed everything, but it was the first step of a long-term plan. A plan for the salvation of the world came into existence that day. We know it, but what do we do about it. We all have many things to do and places to go but is it what we are called to do for God’s long term plan?
(688 words)
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I will also be using blogs from guest writers and sharing the gospel with the hope that all people would find and embrace the love, joy, and peace that Jesus Christ so freely gives through a relationship with Him.
I welcome your comments and would cherish your prayers.
If you would like to know more about asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, I hope you will send me a personal message on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/comewithopenarms or
an email to info@comewithopenarms.org
About me:
Brenda Hale lives in Kingston, TN and is a single mom of an awesome young man. Growing up my family was blessed to own a house with seven kids in two bedrooms and lots of bunk beds. We had not heard of Minimalism, but we were living it.
At my day job I use computer drafting to design/draw and then operate a CNC milling machine to modify and make things for our customers. The Lord helps me every day with the challenges and I love my job!
It was a wonderful surprise when I felt a calling to start a nonprofit ministry with two wings: to build small duplexes for the elderly to call home and provide vehicles to allow people to start their own business or to have a ride to work.
I am praying that this blog will encourage you to listen every day so you won’t miss your calling and then to walk with Jesus down the path to your purpose in this life.
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