Luke 1:26-38 records a conversation between the angel Gabriel and Mary. The birth of Jesus is foretold to this teenage girl: the Holy Spirit will overshadow and, though still a virgin, she will miraculously be with child. Gabriel concludes with these powerful words: “For nothing is impossible with God.”
Mary responds with confident faith in the God she loves, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)
Mary’s attitude is one of acceptance and humility.
She not only accepts this startling news, but writes a beautiful hymn of praise to God in response. These beautiful words, found in Luke 1:46-55, are known as Mary’s Song or The Magnificat (meaning “glorifies”).
Why does Mary have cause for praise?
She is a not-yet-wed teenager, engaged to a man but pregnant with a baby he knows is not his. In male dominated first-century Jewish society, the possible consequences of Mary being found with child included death by stoning.
Most of us would describe her situation as difficult, at best.
How does Mary respond? How would you have responded? What do we find Mary doing?
Perhaps we learn more by what she is not doing:
- She is not wringing her hands.
- She is not wailing, “Why me?” or “What will people think?”
- She is not asking or advice from strangers on the internet or social media.
- She is not downloading multiple self-help books onto her Kindle.
Mary is praising God. Her first statement says it all: “My soul glorifies the Lord!”
Mary is not just surviving her crisis; she is thriving. And we, too, can thrive in challenging circumstances when we remind ourselves why we are here. Our purpose, as found in Isaiah 43:7, is this: we were created to bring glory to God.
That fact is our true north when the storms of this life blow us off course.
You may not find yourself unwed and pregnant this Christmas, but perhaps time with family is challenging. Perhaps the holidays magnify political, ideological, or religious differences between family members. This season may strain relationships, and bring reminders of memories not made (or some you would like to erase).
Whatever your situation or circumstance, check your compass.
Take some time to get focused. Pray for the E.G.R. (“Extra Grace Required”) folks in your life and in your family — and for an extra dose of patience and wisdom when interacting with them. Ask God to help you own your contribution to strained relationships. Pray some more. Ask Him to work through you to love them well and bring glory to Him. And then praise the One who made you.
As you acknowledge God’s gift of grace to you, it will be easier to release grace to others.
Even if you don’t say it with words, may your actions speak loudly: My soul glorifies the Lord!
With two weeks left in the year, we are looking forward to 2023 with great anticipation of the opportunities God will provide to encourage women to love God and love His Word.
Through December 31, we’re offering a FREE set of 2023 Write the WORD bookmarks, printed in full color and mailed to you, for those who make a tax-deductible donation to Cross My Heart Ministry. (Given the cost to print and mail the bookmarks, we kindly request, but do not require, a gift of $20 or more to offset our expenses.)
Donations may be mailed to:
Cross My Heart Ministry, 1310 Scout Trail, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.
To make a donation directly from your bank account using Zelle, please use email address cross.my.heart@cox.net.
In addition to year-end donations, you can help support our ministry year-round through the Amazon Smile program. Simply choose us as your designated charity, and Amazon will donate to Cross My Heart Ministry every time you make a purchase at Smile.Amazon.com or using the Amazon Shopping app — at no additional cost to you!
Click here to sign up today: smile.amazon.com/ch/46-4702149
