“God’s Will = God’s Way” (A Mary Christmas)

Continued from Part 1…

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

The reason we discard God’s mail is because we despise God’s mail.

The reason we mistake God’s voice is because we misunderstand God’s voice

The reason we don’t live God’s Word is because we don’t believe God’s Word.

You see, it is one thing to hear that you’re blessed. But it is quite another thing to believe that you’re blessed.

While Mary was still staring at the strange postage stamp on the mail from heaven, angel Gabriel proceeded to add to her confusion. He had told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God” only to go ahead and instill more fear in her. I can picture Mary taking in these first few words with a pensive and understanding nod. But then her regaining composure is jolted back to chaos by the angel’s next words, “You will conceive and give birth to a son”. Are you kidding me, Mr. Gabriel?

First you tell me that I have found favor with God; but then you add that I will get pregnant! Do you know how scandalous that will be?

First you tell me that all I need to do is to fulfill all the religious duties; but then you add that I need to sell and give all of my wealth! Do you know how absurd that is? (Lk 18:18-23)

First you tell me to believe that you’re going to heal me; but then you tell me to go wash your spit-mud in the pool? Do you realize how ridiculous that is! (John 9:11)

First you tell us that you’ll bring down the walls of Jericho; but then you tell us to blow trumpets and match singing around it seven times? Do you realize how redundant that is! (Joshua 6)

First you tell me that I am blessed, favored and the Lord is with me, and then you tell me that I will be with child?

Indeed we fail to understand and believe God’s messages because we come with preset expectations of how He’ll answer our prayers.

We pray, “Lord, give me a million shillings,” and then hope your ATM will surprise you the next time you punch in your PIN. But it doesn’t.

We pray, “Lord, heal my mother,” and then hope that the doctor will show up around the corner with good news. But he doesn’t

We pray, “Lord, change me,” and then sit around waiting to feel different, act different, think different, speak different. But we don’t.

Perhaps Mary’s predicament will help shed some light on our own. You see, Mary was among the many Jews awaiting a savior. She had kept the promises of the Lord through the prophets in her heart. She treasured them. “Someday we will be freed from the Roman bondage. Someday our Lord and Messiah will show up with a cavalry and eliminate all our enemies. Oh, what a glorious day it will be!”

Little did she know that instead of a warrior on a chariot, God was going to send a seed in her womb.

Little did she know that instead of trumpets and victory chants, God was going to send her morning sickness and constant back pains.

Little did she know that instead of a King who will take her from her misery God was going to send an infant who will add more to the mystery.

Little did she know that instead of sending down a cavalry, God was going to send His only begotten Son, up the hill of Calvary.

But the most important lesson that I learn in Mary’s pregnancy as a way of letting Jesus into the world, is that when God decides to change your life, He will “often” make your life publicly uncomfortable. He will invade and disrupt your reputation.

Sometimes God’s answer to your poverty prayer is an unplanned pregnancy needing extra medical care and expenses.

Sometimes God’s answer to your prayer for healing is swollen feet, an aching back, and bad publicity.

Sometimes God’s answer to our prayers of changing the circumstances around us, involves God changing some things inside us instead.

Mary expected to be married and then get pregnant. What she never imagined is that these two events could be reversed. That was too scandalous. Too taboo. Unacceptable. Unorthodox. GOD’S WAY.

You see, Mary expected a savior. She just didn’t expect to be expectant with one.

Are you pregnant with hope? Are you expectant with faith? The angel is hovering over your life today;

–        Hovering over your pain to plant a comforting seed.

–        Hovering over your sickness to plant a healing seed.

–        Hovering over your failures to plant a forgiving seed,

–        Hovering over your sin to plant a saving seed.

Submit to His will today and let Jesus Christ be born in your heart this Christmas season.

Next post>>> So, Mary finally swallowed the fact that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah, but she was in for a shocker…. As we always are. (To be continued)