June 26 “May it Be”

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.
 
DO you find it easy or difficult to say to God, “May it be to me as you have said.” Perhaps it is easy to say them with our lips. Likely these words are more difficult to speak from our heart.
     To be a servant means we are ready to do without question or reservation the Master’s bidding at any moment. But often when we feel God leading us, even pointedly directing us to some work or some person, we might ask, “Why me, Father? Are you sure, Lord? Can this wait a few days? Maybe I could go in a few years. Are you sure you have the right person, God? Can I get back to you?”
     Mary faced, as we have seen, an impossible task. As a pregnant virgin (unmarried woman), she knew she would face accusation, criticism and separation. Joseph would certainly leave her. Her family could reject her. Extreme uncertainty and difficulties lay ahead. 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.
     But Mary goes anyway because the God, who made the law has promised the impossible will happen. She has a servant’s heart for God. And thus, Mary spoke her heart response to God. Prepared in the Lord’s sovereign grace and power, Mary is ready for this enormous task. She is prepared emotionally and spiritually to live full out as God’s designated Kingdom servant.  
     See in Mary an expression of a humble, faithful and loving heart. Mary is a good model to use when we hear God’s voice call us to his “impossible” purposes for our lives. To grow in our faith, we must often pray with a heart that says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
 
Prayer: May it be to me as you have said, Lord. I open my heart to serve you. In the Spirit’s power and faith, amen.