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“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.”  Luke 1:38 (ESV)

Imagine a young lady dreaming of the life ahead of her.  She was going to marry a strong man, a protector and a provider, one who would provide her with a pleasant life. They imagined a yard full of little children with visits to both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. There would be a yearly trip to Jerusalem to look forward to. She knew that any day her beloved would come to take her as his bride.

In a moment – all of that changed.

When Mary was visited by the angel, Gabriel, and was told she was the chosen one to bring the Messiah into the world, she had only one question. “How could this be since I am not married yet?”  The angel explained the power of God and the miraculous way in which she would conceive. We can imagine Mary thinking that over for a moment and digesting this news. Did she wonder if Joseph would believe her or what her neighbors might say? Did the life she had been dreaming of flash before her eyes? Did she have time to imagine what it would be like to be the mother of the Savior of the world?

We only know how Mary responded. Luke 1:38 tells us, “And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.”

Mary’s first and only response was that she was here to be the Lord’s servant.

She did not dwell on what may happen or her potential losses. She put all of her trust in the word of the angel and knew it came from the heart of God. Her life was changed in a moment and all that she knew and loved was affected.

We know that she had to travel far away from her hometown while she was very pregnant. We have no record that family members or loved ones were near to celebrate with her.  From what we know, she gave birth and her only help was with a man she had not yet been intimate with. Not long after her baby was born, she had strange men come and visit, while she was resting in a stable used for animals.

More strangers telling her difficult days were coming to her precious son, her friends having their baby boys murdered and fleeing to a foreign country in the middle of the night are just a few of the things Mary lived through before her sweet boy was even two.

Mary’s decision to stay obedient to the Lord no matter her personal cost is why she is called, “Blessed among women” (Luke 1:42).

“Lord help us to be Your willing servant, no matter what you ask of us.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life