“I am the Lord’s servant” were the simple words Mary uttered when she learned that she would become the mother of the savior of the world (Luke 1:38).

Think about the inconvenience this would bring.

Mary was a virgin and unmarried. Though she was engaged, her miraculous pregnancy could be cause for execution. What would the neighbors think? How would her parents react? What would her fiancée, Joseph, do when he found out that she was going to have a baby?

Mary was a teenager. Even in our morally-corrupt world, underage pregnancy is cause for alarm and scandal.

Mary was engaged. Imagine telling your future hubby, who’d been honorably restraining certain physical urges, that you were going to have a baby… and he wasn’t the baby-daddy.

Inconvenient Path

Imagine the dirty looks and ugly whispers that Mary’s growing baby-bump surely inspired. Would you willingly volunteer for a position that bore such stigma?

This plot twist wouldn’t have been part of Mary’s adolescent aspirations. Her dreams of a white-wedding and a romantic honeymoon vanished as quickly as the prophetic angel Gabriel had done.

Talk about a rough start for marriage!

But Mary’s response was immediate. She humbly submitted herself, her expectations, and her future to the Lord’s plans.  “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). And because of her obedience and willingness to be the Lord’s servant, she was blessed beyond her wildest dreams.

We too are called to submit to the Lord’s plans.

They’re not always convenient. They usually don’t align with our plans, expectations or schedules. Oftentimes, submitting to His plan is uncomfortable.

But His plans for us are better than we can imagine.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.           

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

What are God’s plans for you today?

It’s likely your day-calendar is filled with preparations for Christmas – bake cookies, shop for presents, decorate the house.  The hours will likely be filled with rushing, worry, and fatigue… there might even be a hint of loneliness and/or depression.

I can almost guarantee that baking, shopping, and decorating your home for Christmas are not commands from the Lord.

Those are our plans. Our interpretations of the perfect Christmas setting.

What is Christ’s plan for us?

To love Him!

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.                                                                 

Matthew 22:37–38

So today, I DARE YOU to push aside your “to-do” list filled with holiday preparations.

Dump the Christmas cards.

Skip the cookies.

Forget the lines at the mall (buy gift cards later – they’re easier to buy, wrap, and use).

Sit down.

Be still.

Love Him.

It’s not a suggestion. It’s a command.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

Open the Bible.  Read Luke 1, and marvel at Mary’s willingness to accept the inconvenient plans of God.

And thank Him for your willingness to simply obey.

You have a choice to make right now… Stick to your ‘to-do’ list, or follow God’s plan today.

Your will or God’s?

Rebel or obey?

Tammy~

 

Dare to Respect – 6 unsatisfied wives & 1 daring journey of transformation