Are You Ready to Surrender?
I’ve said it before – I have a tough time with change. Even positive change can get my heart racing and my thoughts spinning.
When I launched my online Bible study, Outrageously Fruitful, in September, I remember being so nervous before the first session that I could barely sleep the night before. Preparing for each weekly lesson consumed my time and I planned my week around each Facebook Live session.
Several people had joined the study, but would anyone watch the live videos? What would I do if people criticized what I was doing? But even if people opposed my teaching, it didn’t put me in any danger.
An unusual encounter
Mary’s situation was different. Although her life changed in a very positive way, it also had the potential of severe consequences.
Mary was a young virgin engaged to a carpenter, Joseph. Her thoughts were probably wrapped up in wedding plans and finishing the household chores when an unexpected visitor appeared:
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.Luke 1:28
Was she really hearing such gracious words from a heavenly being? Who was she to be called ‘highly favored’? The saying frightened her. Maybe Mary rubbed her eyes quickly to be sure there was really someone in the room with her.
The angel was quick to reassure her:
Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Luke 1:30
Her pulse may have steadied before the angel’s next words:
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.Luke 1:31
A logical question
Wait a minute. Mary wasn’t married to Joseph yet. They had not consummated their marriage, yet the angel was telling her she would have a baby. And not just any baby, but the very Son of God.
Mary didn’t hesitate to ask the angel how this miracle would come about:
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.Luke 1:35
As proof that the Lord was capable of anything, the angel revealed another miracle to Mary; her cousin Elisabeth – who had been barren – was six months pregnant.
Rough consequences
Stop and think about what pregnancy would mean in the life of a young, Jewish girl of that day. The ramifications are sobering:
Mary would be shunned
Mary’s engagement to Joseph would be over (Matthew 1:19)
Mary could be stoned according to the law (Leviticus 20:10)
An amazing response
In spite of the possible consequences, Mary wasted no time responding to the angel:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.Luke 1:38
What an amazing response. Mary presented herself to the Lord as His servant – her humility clearly on display. She was willing to endure the knowing looks and unkind rumors that would circulate. She would be the mother of the very Savior of mankind. How could she respond with anything less than reverent obedience?
Clearly the Lord was in control of her future. And she trusted Him.
We won’t get to speak to an angel, or have our future spelled out to us
We will definitely face change. How will we respond?
Will we embrace what the Lord has for us and surrender our plans? Or will we struggle to keep things as they have always been?
We can never go wrong humbly submitting to the Lord’s plan.
Your turn
Are you trying to control your future? What step will you take today to humbly surrender and submit to the Lord’s leading?
Can I pray for you?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Mary’s humble obedience. In a very different time when she faced tough consequences, she didn’t hesitate to obey You. Help us do the same. Help us trust You unwaveringly. And give us grace to surrender and submit to Your plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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