Mary is one of the
most courageous women in Bible history. God placed her in one of the most
difficult situations that any woman, past or present, could face.
Yet, she walked
clothed in confidence and cloaked in the armor of God with a mindset that said,
“God will bring me through this. I know
it.”
Mary's attitude is
an attitude many of us seek and long for in our own lives.
God gave Mary what
every woman wants: a fearless sentiment and a calm temperament. God gave Mary
these two qualities as she was preparing for the ultimate life-changing experience.
In
the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called
Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings,
favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and
pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in
your womb and bear a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and
will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to Him the
throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and of His Kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this
be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the
child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your
relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the
sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible
with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with
me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1: 26-38
NRSV)
This piece of
Scripture is deep. Mary is strong but confused. Just imagine someone claiming
to be an angel of the Lord, bringing the news that God has chosen you to give
birth to His one and only Son, the Messiah.
Notice how Luke
1:29 says that she was “perplexed” and “pondered.”
We should be
comforted in knowing even Mary had some major doubts.
Luke 1:34 says that
Mary questioned how all of this news could be, due to the fact that she was
still a virgin. When unbelievers question the story of the virgin birth of
Jesus, it is understandable. Mary could
not comprehend the news, either.
The news was so
shocking to Mary that she had difficulty processing the situation. She was
stunned. Yet, after some an interval of doubt, she KNEW. With this understanding, Mary held her head high and accepted
God's calling for her life with complete trust in Him. She believed.
In
those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was
governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also
went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went
to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a
child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver the child. And
she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid
him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-5, NRSV)
The moment to
rejoice had arrived…the birth of Jesus. The Prince of Peace had come into the
world to “save it, not condemn it. (John
3:17) While the birth of Jesus brings sheer joy to me, I wondered what Mary was
thinking on her way to Bethlehem. She must have been overwhelmed with many
different thoughts incessantly running through her mind. Her emotions must have
been at war with one another. The song “Breath of Heaven,” performed by Amy
Grant, describes what Mary may have had on her mind as she was preparing to
give birth to our Savior.
“I have travelled many moonless nights. Cold
and weary with a babe inside. And I wonder what I’ve done. Holy Father, You
have come. And chosen me now. To carry Your Son.”
We have all been in
the midst of situations where we may have felt helpless and hopeless, engulfed
in a storm with no escape.
And in this storm,
we ask ourselves, “What is God trying to
teach me through all of this chaos?”
I guarantee that
most, if not all of you, have asked this very question in the midst of your own
personal storms. Understand that Mary felt the same way. She came close to
breaking. Even the woman who gave birth
to the Christ had battles to fight.
“I am waiting in a silent prayer. I am
frightened by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this
path alone? Be with me now. Be with me now.” (Breath of Heaven)
When I heard this line
of the song for the very first time, the word “wait” leapt out at me. “Waiting”
is such an important thing to do when you are walking with Christ. Mary knew
she had to wait. She was aware that she could only wait.
God’s plan is the
only plan that will prove successful for your life. Your life is not really your life. You are His.
He is the Potter. We are the
clay.
Mary put on a brave
face and lifted her head as high as it could be while waiting on God, although
she was afraid. She desired to be obedient while battling insecurity and
fear.
Mary prayed and
prayed that God would carry her through the storm. And, He did.
I am sure that at
times, there were only one set of footprints. She was not alone. Neither are we.
“Breath of Heaven, hold me together. Be
forever never me. Breath of Heaven. Breath of Heaven, Lighten my darkness. Pour
over me Your Holiness. For You are Holy. Breath of Heaven.”
Breath
of Heaven...what a beautiful name for Jesus. He truly is our breath of Heaven: as
we pray, as we think about Him, as we worship Him, as we serve Him, and as we
love Him.
“Do you wonder as You watch my face if a
wiser one should’ve had my place? But I offer all I am, for the mercy of Your
plan. Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me.”
I often ponder why
God believes in me so much. He believes in me, and He believes in you.
I fail Him every
day. All of us do. He continues to believe.
As we face one
struggle after another, God knows
that each of them will help to mature us in the faith.
Unbelievable.
Mary was
overwhelmed. She could not fathom that
she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus, the Messiah, God’s One and only
Son. She felt pressured to live up to her calling. She felt like she needed to please God.
What she almost
failed to recognize was that she did not have to please God. He loves us regardless.
Mary overcame her
fear of living up to God and offered the entirety of who she was to her
Heavenly Father. She gave herself to God, knowing that He was in control. Mary's
story is one that we can all learn from...offering all we are, even in the midst of doubt.
It is obvious that
“Breath of Heaven” is meant for Christmas, but I listen to this song year
round. It brings me great comfort,
knowing that Mary chose obedience to the Lord.
When you read or
hear the lyrics to this beautiful song, it is hard not to be moved. The song is
about having thousands of reasons to be frustrated and upset, but making a
choice to be positive and remain firm in our faith.
Yes, He allows struggles.
Life is not meant to be easy. There will be sufferings.
God is on your side.
He is cheering you on. While you have faith in God, God has faith in you.
Everything you go through
is for the greater good in God's kingdom. You are being prepared to spend
eternity with God Himself.
Merry Christmas, Ladies. Rejoice…for Christ, our Savior, is
born!
To listen to Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant, click here.
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