December 9
Bible Verses Covered
Devotion: This passage marks a beginning in the wondrous, beautiful account of God becoming flesh, the incarnation. It is a moment wholly of God, and yet, it is so human, as we stand with Mary in terror and disbelief at what God is asking. This is not a small God errand. She likely has her own plans for her life, for her marriage, what she will call her children. In the first moments of the revelation, she probably isn’t feeling very “blessed among women.” She is simply afraid, very afraid, of a holy opportunity delivered by an angel. God is clear. Mary is afraid. We can relate to this.
This Advent season, our family is struggling to make some of the Big Decisions in Life, affecting where we will live, work, where our toddler will go to school, and ultimately, how will we cement our newly formed family and marriage into an entity that will honor God and serve the world. We have done the research and we have big plans. Yes, we do want to hear God’s thoughts on the matter, and as a family, we ask God regularly for guidance. But as we strain to listen for the answers, one eye shut, are we perhaps hoping God’s plans will line up nicely with our own?
This passage challenges the notion that our plans are the best. Mary could not imagine that this troubling situation was going to produce the greatest gift for her life -- and for all of mankind. We have heard God’s clear and loving mandate for our lives: “Follow me”, and even without more detail, it’s a sure plan.
Prayer: Dear Lord, in all of our plans, big and small, we are humbled and grateful that you are using us, ordinary people like Mary, to carry out your work in the world. May we do so with faithful obedience. Amen.
Devotion: This passage marks a beginning in the wondrous, beautiful account of God becoming flesh, the incarnation. It is a moment wholly of God, and yet, it is so human, as we stand with Mary in terror and disbelief at what God is asking. This is not a small God errand. She likely has her own plans for her life, for her marriage, what she will call her children. In the first moments of the revelation, she probably isn’t feeling very “blessed among women.” She is simply afraid, very afraid, of a holy opportunity delivered by an angel. God is clear. Mary is afraid. We can relate to this.
This Advent season, our family is struggling to make some of the Big Decisions in Life, affecting where we will live, work, where our toddler will go to school, and ultimately, how will we cement our newly formed family and marriage into an entity that will honor God and serve the world. We have done the research and we have big plans. Yes, we do want to hear God’s thoughts on the matter, and as a family, we ask God regularly for guidance. But as we strain to listen for the answers, one eye shut, are we perhaps hoping God’s plans will line up nicely with our own?
This passage challenges the notion that our plans are the best. Mary could not imagine that this troubling situation was going to produce the greatest gift for her life -- and for all of mankind. We have heard God’s clear and loving mandate for our lives: “Follow me”, and even without more detail, it’s a sure plan.
Prayer: Dear Lord, in all of our plans, big and small, we are humbled and grateful that you are using us, ordinary people like Mary, to carry out your work in the world. May we do so with faithful obedience. Amen.