One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is where the angel Gabriel comes to Mary. First of all—Hello! It’s an angel! We get used to reading this without actually picturing it. One minute Mary is just going about her day and the next minute—Angel of the Lord! Standing in front of her. She didn’t faint (good for her!) but she was afraid at first. The angel Gabriel said to not be afraid for Mary had found favor with God.
He proclaimed to her (is there any other word besides “proclaim” when an angel says something?) that she would “give birth to a son,” and she was to give him the name Jesus. Gabriel said, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High … his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33).
Practical Questions, Practical Answers
Now instead of saying, “Wow. I’m going to give birth to the Son of God,” she says, “How will this be…since I am a virgin?” (v.34) I love that she asks the practical question. She listens. “Uh huh…uh huh…HOW?” Sometimes the Lord tells us something and we don’t ask the practical question. We don’t ask Him the next step. We don’t ask Him, “How?” We should. Because when we ask, He will answer. (See Jeremiah 33:3)
The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God … For nothing is impossible with God” (v35 & 37).
Sweet Surrender
Then Mary says some of the most beautiful words in Scripture. “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said” (v38). She declared herself the Lord’s servant. She was putting her life on the line. She was truly giving God her life. Just like we sing most every Sunday. “I’m Yours, Lord. Take all of me. Use me. I surrender all.”
“May it be to me as you have said.” So amazing. If we would only be that submissive in our walk with God. If we would receive all things from His Hand with such an obedient attitude. Mary was agreeing with God’s plan for her. It wasn’t an easy plan. Not everyone would believe she was divinely impregnated. (Did anyone? Even Joseph had to be convinced by an angel in a dream!) The road before her would be difficult. But right at the outset, she made a critical and life-giving decision. She decided to agree with God and go with His plan.
Trust His Amazing Plan!
His plan is always good. His plan is ALWAYS the best plan for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). When we remember God’s love for us and His perfect and wonderful intentions toward us, it’s easier to surrender to Him.
Maybe we should make that decision again as we start to think about a New Year. Whatever God has for us. Whatever God has for me. Let’s allow the Lord to do what HE wants in our lives this year. Let’s look at our life and say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Is there an area of your life that needs a “new surrender”?