Author: astherainandsnow

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
    from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130:5-8

The psalmist’s hope lifted his head and buoyed his soul. It was no empty wish but a solid, unwavering expectation tethered to his certain and true God. The God who called, led, provided, and delivered. The God who was eternally present to save and inspire, and who would come as promised to reign forever. The covenant LORD who kept His promises and fulfilled His every purpose.

Our joy in living is limited because we misplace our hope. We invest in the temporal instead of laying up treasure in heaven. We make much of frenzied activity instead of thoughtful steps, of urgency over the long view. Genuine thrill of hope gets drowned by the tyranny of the urgent, which renders us incapable of reordering our lives. Unfulfilled earthly expectations disquiet the soul and make a mess of God’s intended joy. Will we pause, take a step back, say no to hurry and yes to wait? Will we raise our sights, and wonder at the divine sparkling on our fleeting days to remind us of the lofty One who reigns over all? (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Waiting on Jesus trains us to wait for other things, and often serves to eliminate earthly desires altogether. Waiting on Jesus transforms thought processes and ignites the spirit where all was flesh. Waiting on Jesus breaks into our weary world with the abounding thrill of heavenly hope. And that hope not only never disappoints us, but is contagious to those around us with eyes for only this life. (Romans 5:5; 15:13)

In what areas are we flagging in expectancy because we’re seeking the wrong solutions? And who among us needs encouragement to open to God’s hope-filling, life-giving Spirit?

In celebration of the first advent of Jesus, we are drawn to hope for His second, the glorious day when He returns to fulfill His word to take us to be with Him forever, to restore His creation in a new heaven and earth. The longings with which we yearn here will be swallowed up in perfect fulfillment. Sorrow and tears will be banished forever. Does this truth not set us on tiptoe, expectantly rejoicing? (Revelation 21:1-4)

“Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.” ~Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Father, infuse me with the thrill of hope for You and Your presence in every aspect of every day. May both mindset and countenance bring You glory, even as I wait on You.

“Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8

“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 11:24-26; 13:13-15

“Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked,
    and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,
with which your enemies mock, O Lord,
    with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.” Psalm 89:50-51

To understand the worth of something there must be a counting of the cost. Weighing what is expended against what is received makes clear the choice: is this worth the exchange? For the people of God, when deliberating between heavenly and earthly, the answer is always yes! The supernatural value of knowing Him, sharing His resurrection power and painful sufferings and holy insights, is inexplicably beyond any good we can imagine. (Philippians 3:10)

Yet, we live as paupers. We go about day to day with such limited hopes, trading in the exercise of heaven-given verve and talents for bland, insignificant living. We pass through uncounted hours opting for cursory conversation, meaningless entertainment, and crude humor over robust interaction, meaningful relationships, and hearty joy. We who own every spiritual blessing in Christ and know Him personally behave as though there were no tomorrow, no accounting, no thrill of hope awaiting. (Ephesians 1:3)

What keeps our sights low, our hearts disgruntled and ungrateful? How will we take full advantage of the inspiration, love, and fulfillment of knowing Christ and making Him known? Let us come, adore, and rejoice!

“O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!” ~Placide Cappeau (1847)

Amen!

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’  And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’” Luke 10:17-20

“David and the chiefs set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied… who did the work and their duties… for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained…, all who were skillful, was 288.” “To Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers, men of great ability. The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah… men qualified for the service… Of the Hebronites, Jerijah was chief… King David appointed him and his brothers, 2,700 men of ability, heads of fathers’ houses, to have the oversight… for everything pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.” 1 Chronicles 25:1,6b-7; 26:6-8,31-32

The young-in-faith disciples were pretty excited that they could perform miracles in Jesus’s name, and eagerly shared their success with Him. Jesus quickly reminded them that He also had some unique credentials, and yes, they’d been given supernatural authority to do pretty spectacular things, but all this was of and for Him. Their ministry, and these miracles at their voice or hand, were not to be their boast- Jesus who inspired and enabled them was. They were in service of the King their Savior. ‘Look what you’ve done? No, look what I’ve done. Don’t rejoice in these earthly successes and temporary displays of extraordinary power… the most amazing feat is that I saved you! You are Mine! Take real joy that your names are written forever on My hands and in heaven.’ (Isaiah 49:16; Malachi 3:16; Revelation 3:5)

God made man to work, and appoints skills to enable him to do so. He assigns roles and expects vital industry that contributes to His kingdom good. Sometimes the heft and toil distort our thinking, and we begin to take credit for good results. It’s vital we remember the One to whom our work pertains, and who has blessed us with every attending skill. His is the work, and His is the glory. (Genesis 2:5-8,15,19-20; Colossians 1:16; 3:23)

How can we work so our days are crowned with His glory, not our own? Could we ask Him to do in and through us what doesn’t come naturally or easily so He gets the credit? Would we expend ourselves in His energy, when we feel like sitting back? How will we add a hint of divine beauty to ordinary work? Will we speak for Him, and exude the joy that comes from delighting in his work? Can we bless those we serve with a benediction in His name? (Psalm 65:9-13)

Father, may my work done heartily through and unto You bring You delight and glory. May my boast ever be that You have saved me, and given me the privilege to serve You in return. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”’” Luke 3:1-6

In a set moment of time, to which Israel had looked forward for centuries, John the Baptist was anointed to announce the Messiah. In all the ages of history, the day of Christ’s coming was at hand. The way of the Lord would bring change like none other, a revolution of righteousness and salvation and hope that would make sense of the world’s chaos since Eden.

Jesus would fill every valley of lonely and hopelessness, and bring down every mountain of impossibility. He would straighten out confusion and smooth every rough circumstance with peace, comfort, and hope. By carrying our grief and shame, He would deliver us unto eternal joy. What a message, what a hope, available to all flesh! This beloved Son of God, with whom He was pleased, was coming to make us sons forever! (Isaiah 53:3-5; Luke 3:22; Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 3:1)

Assigned to our season and place and moment in time, do we look for and see the Lord’s life at work? How are we making smooth His way in our homes, workplaces, churches, communities? To whom, and how clearly, are we proclaiming the hope of salvation? How might we join the angels’ song to laud our Lord and tell of His healing and hope? What needs to change in our demeanor and daily practices for the world around us to see Him in all His glory? (Esther 4:14; Acts 17:26)

“Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King.'” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, may I see Thee afresh every day, and by my life cause others to see You too.

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

“I press on... One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way.” Philippians 3:12-15

“Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel… For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Colossians 1:23,29

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

Into the quagmire of struggling to concentrate in prayer, rain breaks in, pelting through angst and wrestling to remind that this effort and God’s word would not return void. Keep on, keep on pounds the heavy, rhythmic tap of rain. Ah, how kind and timely is the Lord, listening intently to soul cries, granting both will and way to Him, answering even as we ask. My word shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed. (Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 6:8; Philippians 2:13)

We may see only grey haze, He sees eternal blue. Clouds clog, swirl, speed along, His clarity remains untouched. We agitate and choke on uncertainty and always-changing scapes, yet He serenely, sovereignly rules. The enemies of distraction and doubt persist in their pester, but He stays steadfast, available, real. Keep on, keep on. Always He listens, always He abides. Faithfully He answers, guides, and inspires. When we taste His good, He turns apathy into appetite, dread into desire. (Psalm 34:8)

What causes us to resist reading His word and approaching His throne? Have we allowed enough time, separated from distractions? Have we set aside other responsibilities that would draw us off course? Have we opened the door to competing affections that vie for our devotion? (Do we need to leave our devices elsewhere?) When we shake off spiritual sloth, boldly press toward God’s throne of grace, admit our struggle, and plead for His intervention and favor, He helps, and blesses our effort unto immediate growth. (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-11)

His word is not empty, but our very life! Why do we doubt its power and benefit? Keeping on is always worth the struggle, and that keeps the enemy taunting, beguiling. What lies are we believing: that my gut feelings are better, my instincts need no heavenly enlightenment? My other priorities are more important? My drive is sufficient, my strength adequate, my present knowledge enough? I don’t have time? Keep on, keep on through the urgencies of this world. Denounce the devil’s deceptions, press on in faith, and enjoy the life-giving blessing from time with Jesus. (Deuteronomy 32:47)

Lord, keep me pressing on the upward way, delighting in and taking nourishment from You daily.

“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. A woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was [there].., brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Simon,..

“’A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly… Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” Luke 7:36-48

Jesus expressed His love for the world in a myriad of ways over His short ministry on earth, and used every opportunity to illustrate and correct thinking about it. Simon the Pharisee was so taken up with his own righteousness and abhorrence of the filthy woman that he neglected to honor his guest. Jesus his guest, always redeeming the time, would turn the awkward moment to teach about love. (Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5)

Christ’s love is tied to forgiveness, so it is often displayed in ways we dismiss, disdain, or don’t understand. Our flesh can be repulsed by the dirty, unlovely, or crude, and calloused by wrongs done to us, and so fail to recognize that Jesus came for sinners, and we too are filthy renegades before a holy Savior. We measure love by feelings, and center it around ourselves. But His is so much higher and broader and reaches so much deeper that it takes great knowing of Him and ourselves to grasp it. (Psalm 103:11-12; Ephesians 3:17-19)

When we accept that His amazing love broke through our sin to save us from its curse, we are freed to love others in the grace we’ve received. We may then express it in varied ways: through a spoken word, or a caustic word held back; a gentle touch, or a firm press of discipline; stored up patience, or poured out ointment. We’ve learned that we love because Jesus first loved us, and calls us to follow in His steps. From the well of forgiveness, how will we love another today? (John 13:15; 1 John 4:10,19)

Lord, may I lavish the love You’ve poured on and into me on all around me, in Your name and to Your glory.

“They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And… made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. All who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart…

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,  he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
    that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.’

“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” Luke 2:16-19,25-33

The angel’s visitation announcing she would bear the Christ set Mary’s life thereafter into a state of wonder. She treasured his promise enough to visit her cousin, for whom she also believed his promise. She received Elizabeth’s blessing, and responded to it with spontaneous praise to her God. After Jesus’ birth, she marveled at what the shepherds said, what Simeon said, what Anna said, and what He at age twelve taught in the temple and said, carefully handling and tucking inside each glorious revelation about her firstborn, God’s Son. (Luke 1:30-55; 2:36-38,41-46,49-52)

We too can savor every fresh revelation of and from our Savior. His word, people, and creation all speak to His wondrous attributes and deeds, and should daily instill adoration that transforms our thinking and worship. What am I hearing about Jesus that causes me to marvel? Are His promises inspiring awe and gratitude? Would I rejoice in the wonder, relish the meditation, and turn pondering to praise? (Psalm 19:1; Revelation 15:3)

And how will I spark consideration of Jesus in others? What portrait of His mercy can encourage the hopeless or destitute, or comfort from His compassion can console the lonely or hurting? What thanksgiving for faithful help, specific answers to prayer, personal conviction or guidance from His Spirit will I express to enlighten and bless?

“O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
born the King of angels.

God from true God, and
Light from Light eternal,
born of a virgin, to earth he comes!
Only-begotten Son of God the Father

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, 
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!” ~John Francis Wade (1711-1786)

Lord, may the treasures of Your grace compel days of wonder, praise, and blessing others in Your name.

“And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child…  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:7-17,20

It was another serene night, shepherds watching their flocks under a black sky dotted with stars. While eyes and ears were intent on their flocks, heart beats had slowed and bodies had settled into the slow amble of the cool night watch where all was quiet and movement was minimal. Suddenly, a blinding blaze of glory, a clear and crisp announcement, and a host of angels praising God! All would jumpstart their pulse and engage every sense, compelling them to action they’d never considered. Life would never be the same after they found Jesus.

Have we eased into complacency and ambled into dull senses in everyday routines? By regular repeated inaction, we can find it counter to our nature to respond to God’s call when it comes. Are we too settled in longtime habits to change direction, too sleepy in our thinking to awaken to His inspiration, too settled in our comfy places to break out of a provincial mindset? Will we die for lack of vision and risk losing our edge on responsiveness to Christ? (Proverbs 29:18)

The Lord calls us to energetic obedience, and ready willingness to change direction, gird up the loins of faith, make haste, and do good. His love constrains us to meet the needs of others, His mercy to extend grace among us. How willing are we to drop everything to run to and for Him? (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; James 1:22; 1 Peter 1:13)

Lord, may I haste to You each day, eager to greet You, know You better, and love You more. Fill me and change me and compel me to Your good, unto Your glory.

“The pride of your heart has deceived you,
    you who live in the clefts of the rock,
    in your lofty dwelling,
who say in your heart,
    ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
Though you soar aloft like the eagle,
    though your nest is set among the stars,
    from there I will bring you down,
declares the Lord…

“But do not gloat over the day of your brother
    in the day of his misfortune;
do not rejoice over the people of Judah
    in the day of their ruin;
do not boast
    in the day of distress.
Do not enter the gate of my people
    in the day of their calamity;
do not gloat over his disaster
    in the day of his calamity;
do not loot his wealth
    in the day of his calamity…
For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
    your deeds shall return on your own head.” Obadiah 3-4,12-13,15

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,  and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’  have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?.. You have dishonored the poor man…

“If you really fulfill the royal law.., ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” James 2:1-4,6a,8-9

Putting self on a pride-braced pedestal to lord it over others is a nasty habit and dishonoring to the Maker of us all. Famous or unknown, successful or failure, strong or weak, intelligent or simple, all are in His image made. Showing favoritism and puffing up ourselves at the expense of others belittles them and ignores or dismisses their value. (James 2:15-16)

What causes us to think more highly of ourselves and less of others than we ought? Likely we carry some insecurity that compels us to compare, and when we come up short, we have to find someplace or someway to exert superiority. We don lenses of pomposity, and pick at the grit and specks in others while failing to recognize our own. Actually, we’re all dust, every one of us destined to fade like the grass of the field. While God appoints different gifts and callings, He loves and treasures us all. (Psalm 103:14; Luke 6:41-42; John 3:16; Romans 12:3; 1 Peter 1:24)

Do we teeter on self-constructed high horses, looking down, struggling to maintain a semblance of a squeaky clean, all-polish-and-success image? Do we relationally demand others accept our quirks and strong opinions without making effort to value theirs? Would we instead promote the grace of Christ by dismounting before God and seeking ways to relate to our equals with His love? (Psalm 14:1-3)

Great Father, daily remind me who I am before You. Replace any hint of guile and malice with pure love.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to… Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. He came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign… forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’

“And Mary said, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’

“And the angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God… 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.'” Luke 1:26-38

Imagine the shock, the magnificent disruption, when Gabriel appeared. A heavenly being announced to a teenage girl that she, of all people, was the favored one blessed to bear the promised Messiah. Her response is spontaneous, and telling of her deep dedication to her Lord: a simple question, no argument, a serene, faith- and praise-filled acceptance of this benediction from her Savior.

“And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name...
He has shown strength with his arm…
    and exalted those of humble estate.'” Luke 1:46-49,51-52

Those of us who know Christ are also favored to bear Him in our private and public lives. When we enjoy an intimate love relationship with Him and are intent on consistent communion, we rejoice in this privilege of making a difference for eternal generations, and similarly as Mary receive it with joy. But when we prefer to claim safety in salvation but my life as my own, we may see this bestowment as an imposition, an annoyance, a burden, or something we’d rather save for another day or season. Which is our response?

Do we chafe at the ‘restrictions’ of being known by His name, the conviction of the Spirit when we let loose with our flesh? Let Mary’s example challenge and guide us: bring Him doubts, then accept His grace as a gift to be exercised. Ask Him to arouse desire to wear His countenance, speak His words, and exhibit His grace and love. Responding to Him in thanksgiving and praise evokes willingness to serve Him with our all and take Him to the needy, lonely, and lost. (Romans 10:14-15)

Lord, may my soul magnify You for the favor of Your grace and love in Christ to me. May I serve You without fear, in holiness and righteousness to Your glory always. (Luke 1:74-79)