(By Lisa Peat)
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything You have said about me come true” (Luke 1:34, 38).
I wonder what was racing through Mary’s mind between verse 34 and 38. The angel appeared and told her she had found favor with God and she would be the mother of the Messiah. Do you think a wave of fear rolled over her as she contemplated what this was going to mean to her? A young, unwed woman would be looked down upon. She would be shamed and ridiculed for becoming pregnant. Mary would be the talk of every gossiper in town. The stares, the whispers! And how could it be that she was to care for the Messiah of the world?
Mary didn’t know that her heart was going to be broken one day as she watched them crucify her son, her Savior. She didn’t know all the details but she surrendered to God’s will for her life. Mary had faith in God. She trusted Him.
Faith is believing God’s Word, trusting Him, and acting upon it, no matter how we feel, because God promises are trustworthy and are for our good (Hebrews 11:1). We may not have all the details in the situation we are in. Sometimes we may have more questions than answers, but faith is choosing to surrender our situation, our life, to God. It is believing He is who He says He is, that He can do what He says He can do, and that we are who He says we are. And when we respond in faith, there is a peace that floods our soul. Believing and obeying God brings peace and joy.
Lord, teach me the beauty and joy of surrendering my life into Your hands and the blessings obedience brings.