Joy in the Journey Part Two 

Mary was troubled. An angel had visited her and told her something astonishing and unnatural for her, biologically and physically. “But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’” (Luke 1:29-30)

Mary was favoured (v.30). In the first blog of this series, I mentioned that Gabriel was sent to meet her that night because she had been chosen as a faithful servant. The angel told her this news: she had been chosen to bear Jesus Christ. She chose to listen, despite her initial misgivings, and responded obediently, saying: “I’m your servant.” 

It’s okay to ask questions, God can handle our questions. Though she willingly submitted her spirit, Mary nevertheless expressed her troubles and concerns about what was to unfold. Only the angel Gabriel told her about Jesus Christ, the son of the Most High. He also told her about her cousin Elizabeth, and that she was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Miracle after miracle! That sounds like our God!  

How are we willingly and obediently submitting to God‘s will? In what ways are we choosing to say: I am your servant, and I will do as you have said, even when it seems unnatural and unbelievable? That’s hard to do, and it’s good to remember in these moments when we are asked to walk with faith alone to guide our steps, that even Mary herself had questions, doubts and fears. The news she received was beautiful, exciting, unbelievable–and also unbelievably scary. 

The story of Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel is a reminder that with even the best news there is always a shadow of doubt, a tinge of fear. God shows us the way, but we must be brave enough to accept it, to take that first step. In these times, there’s nothing we can do but pray and trust and go by faith; we have to actively pursue a consistent prayer life and not let our fears consume us. Mary could have allowed her fears to consume her. She could have laughed. She could have been angry or walked away, but she didn’t. She was a willing, humble  servant. Are you? 

And Mary said to the angel, “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[e] will be called holy—the Son of God.  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.” 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. Luke 1:34-38

 

Nothing is impossible with God. This incredible and life-changing conversation proves the truth of God’s enduring love, and that he is the God of the impossible.