Just as Christmas is upon us and though this past week with the senseless acts of man have effected this nation yet again, I find comfort in the one and only tangible thing that holds power and truth which is the Bible. As I turn to it and devote this week into the book of Luke, I am yet again in awe as I read 1 sentence. I know I've read this over and over before but man, this time, this week in particular it struck a new cord to me. To my heart!
Luke 1:38 after the angel appeared to Mary to tell her that God chose her to carry the very gift we need which is Jesus it says:
"Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
What this particular time in reading this stood out to me was that first of all, an angel appeared. Who wouldn't have been a little fearful? Mary wasn't frightened in this, in fact she was more confused after the angel declared her as the "favored woman." (Luke 1:28) Then, the angel later explained to her that she had found favor with God! (Luke 1:30)
Of course as many of you know, she obviously and gracefully went along with this plan of God and sought out His will and birthed Christ. What a gift!
Now, think about this...
How many times has the very God who created the Heavens and earth asked us to do something and we fought it tooth and nail depending on the timing, cost, sacrifice, what will other's think, selfishness? Man, have I been at fault on this one but I've been working on this very thing. Now, if Mary were to have argued on this with God, how would things have turned out? I don't want to go there but what I'm trying to say is that the bigger picture was that she didn't! She did exactly what the angel told her via God's command and went forth in spite of the ridicule, shame, embarrassment, pain, what people thought yet put her wants/desires/dreams/life on hold to seek out God's plan and realized that of course it was the PERFECT PLAN ALL ALONG! She chose to serve HIM just like He chose for her to carry HIM! He chooses US to be His children! WHOA!!! We are treasures in HIS eyes!
Mary is the Hero in this case. She carried that boy (future Savior of the world), bathed him, fed him, nurtured him, loved him, taught him, put her wants aside for our King and ultimately for our future with our Creator! Thank you Mary!!! This to is what it felt like for me in particular in carrying our "gifts" which are our girls. Just another blessing that I'm guilty of taking for granted. Yet, in spite of that, God still graces me with unconditional love. Not only that but they are believers and sisters in Christ, good grief many reasons to CELEBRATE PEOPLE!
So, this Christmas especially this Christmas, please don't treat this time the same as the previous years. Look deeper into the lives God has gifted you with. See them as when Christ saw each of us with his dying breath. Change our ways for HIS ways. Put all of our selfishness aside for GOOD, not just for one day. See people as His Children. See the LOVE that only He has taught us.
Praises to our King! Thank you God for all of the blessings given freely to me! I do not take you for granted and my prayer is that with this particular lesson that the Holy Spirit revealed to me was not one that I will forget but one that I will SHARE for your Kingdom.
Merry Christmas sweet family & friends from the Hill's. If you have Christ living in your heart, don't breathe another breath with hate or grudges or that your way is the only way cuz' it will only cause glory to Satan. You have the opportunity to be made new. Forget traditions if that's what's enabling you to receive this gift I'm writing about. Please, ask for the very gift that only Christ can give you and that's your salvation into His Kingdom. This is my prayer...
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas
Mel
