A devotional by Patricia Russell
“The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them.” –Luke 2:17-19 (TLB)
Can you remember a time in your life when you told the Lord you would do anything that He wanted you to do and when that time came you said yes with all your heart? However, days after accepting His will, you felt somewhat unprepared for all that the task required. You suddenly felt nervous about what was next. Sometimes when we don’t have a picture of the way things are going to roll out piece by piece there can be that feeling of being unprepared.
Specifically thinking about Mary, Jesus Christ’s mother, I believe she could relate to this question. Mary was a faithful and highly favored servant of God. Yet, when she received the instruction and news from Angel Gabriel saying she was chosen to carry the son of God in her womb and she accepted God’s will, I don’t know if she was prepared for all that life would entail in accepting this sacred assignment.
Mary heard the angel’s prophecy that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31-32). She acknowledged it. She said she was honored to receive the call, but have you ever wondered if she was really prepared for all that would unfold in each stage of this special child’s life? If you were to ask the average mother if she was prepared for the events that occurred in their child’s life, you would get a resounding “no.” And yet, mothers must take a breath and walk-through tears of sadness, laughter, pondering, lying awake at night, watching the phone during the day, praying, pondering, beseeching the Lord and all the while, never being fully prepared to face everything that happens in their child’s life.
How do you accept God’s call completely without preparation? Maybe the better question is, “Why would you?” My answer to this would be, “You accept it on the basis of trust.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) tells us to: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Also in Psalm 37:5 (KJV) we are advised to, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” And in Joshua 1:9 (NIV), the command goes forth to be “strong and courageous”. All of these passages and many more are reminders to us that while we do not know what tomorrow will bring, as long as we are walking and talking with Jesus, not only are we safe, but we will get our next step directives. God will give us what we need when we need it. We can walk confidently knowing that he has us.
We are not God. We don’t have knowledge of what our tomorrows look like. Even though she was carrying the son of God, Mary had to do what we all must do to accept God’s call by faith. Believing He will give us the same wisdom and grace that Jesus grew in, to carry it out and grow along the journey. Mary was not prepared for all the feelings she would experience during and after the birth of Jesus. She really was not prepared for the attacks on both her and her son’s character. She was not prepared for the miracles, the criticism, and the challenges they would encounter along the way. And even though she was told he would die; she could not have been prepared for the emotional rollercoaster she would experience.
Neither will we be prepared for all that we will face during our lifetime. So, we trust God. We trust He knows what is happening and He will give us the direction and guidance to make it through every experience and come through as a winner.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, many days life looks and feels uncertain, but we thank You for Your Word again that reminds us that You will direct our paths as we trust You. There are days when I feel unprepared, so help me to rely on Your Word and not my feelings. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection:
“Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)” by Amy Grant. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Patricia is an encourager. She passionately uses her gifting as an author, speaker, pastor, recording artist, worship leader and coach.
Patricia sings! She has released two CDs titled Draw Me Nearer and Lord I Trust You.
She also travels to speak to audiences internationally.
When she is not ministering to save souls in God’s Kingdom, Patricia enjoys reading, writing and connecting like-minded people who can sharpen each other in the journey to their dreams and goals.
As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, her desire is to coach others to live life to the fullest by understanding their gifting from God and using it.
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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com
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