​“I am the LORD’S Servant.”

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
 
GABRIEL returned to heaven. He had served the LORD God, delivering the message to the virgin. He had heard Mary commit to God’s call. Gabriel’s mighty work was done.
    Now Mary’s work began. Mary resolutely affirmed she would serve Yahweh. There is no greater vow than to say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” You place your life completely in God’s hands. Are you ready for this?
    Such vows are very difficult to speak in truth. Faithful, unwavering commitment does not come easily to the human heart. To say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” is to declare a readiness to respond without question or reservation to the Master’s bidding. Such commitment is spoken when you join a church. With such questions as, “Do you commit to regular attendance? Will you give freely of your tithes and offerings? Are you committed to use your spiritual gifts to edify the church?” we are called to respond, “I am the Lord’s servant,”  God has called you to his church, and he wants you to be his servant there.
    A servant’s life requires humility that is very different than the pride that so naturally affects us. Jesus’ great servant demonstration to wash the disciples’ feet in John 13 reveals the depth of telling God, “I am the Lord’s servant,”
    Serving God puts us in the least position. It makes us vulnerable to criticism and disappointment. In much of the world, God’s faithful servants are abused and neglected. They are often at the mercy of a brutal godless society.
    But the servant Mary committed to her God. Thoughts of extreme uncertainty and difficulties crowded her mind. There could be a trial and a decree of death by stoning because of her perceived sin of sexual impurity. This was God’s own law as stated in Deuteronomy 22:20-22.
    Mary is ready to serve. She has heard from the Lawgiver. He has promised the impossible will happen. Prepared in the Lord’s sovereign grace and power, Mary is ready emotionally and physically for this enormous task. She is prepared to live completely committed as God’s designated Kingdom servant.
    You can see in Mary an expression of a humble, faithful and loving heart. Mary is a good model for us when we hear the Spirit call us to serve the LORD God in his “impossible” purposes for our lives. To grow a faithful, servant’s heart, we must often pray with a commitment that says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
 
Prayer: I am your servant, Lord. May your task be to me as you have said, Lord. I open my heart to serve you. In the Spirit’s power and his anointing faith, amen.