The Christmas Season

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! … For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.”

~Luke 1:46, 49 NLT

We can only imagine how Mary felt when she received God’s invitation to be the mother of the Savior of the world. She certainly faced many difficulties, but I’ve decided I want a heart like Mary’s.

Mary’s Calling

Consider what Father God asked Mary to endure. He promised her a miracle child, born of the Holy Spirit, but with the calling came misunderstanding, embarrassment, and risk.

We never learn how Mary’s parents reacted to the news of her pregnancy, except that she went away to her cousin Elizabeth’s house during her pregnancy. Perhaps her parents were ashamed of her.

Then there was her fiancé, Joseph.  She risked a great deal to accept God’s assignment. Joseph could have secretly divorced her to spare himself the humiliation of having his betrothed pregnant with someone else’s child.

No doubt there were many in Mary’s town who looked down on her for being an unwed mother with a seemingly ridiculous excuse for her condition. 

Highly Esteemed

From our vantage point, we hold Mary in high esteem, but at the time, God asked her to do something exquisitely hard, frightening, and painful. He asked her to sacrifice her comfort, plans, and reputation in exchange for His will and an unprecedented promise. 

Mary may have been young, but she was wise. In wisdom she called herself blessed that Father God had taken notice of her. She accepted the risk and burden as an honor, and God rewarded her obedience.

Our Calling

He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.

Luke 1:50 NLT

When we consider what God asks of us, we might initially only see the difficulties in it. At times like this, we must ask Him to create within our spirits a heart like Mary’s. Then, we can view the difficulties through eyes of faith and embrace the challenge without reservation.

God does not call us to do a difficult thing without equipping and partnering with us to fulfill His plan. May we count ourselves blessed that He has taken notice of us and entrusted us with the assignment. May the Spirit of God come upon us, and the power of the Most High overshadow us, birthing in us His perfect will as we yield to the Father’s plans.

Father God asked Mary to risk her reputation in exchange for an unprecedented promise. He asks the impossible of us also. 

Ask God to change whatever He needs to in you so you can have a heart like Mary’s.

Father God, one day I’ll stand before You, and You’ll reveal Your plan unwrapped in its fullness. May I recognize that, like Mary, Your invitation to obey was a gift. What once looked like a burden will produce blessing, honor and great joy. Bless me with a heart like Mary’s. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: A Heart Like Mary’s: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: All Rights Reserved