The Heart of a Servant

Can you picture it? A poor, young teenager, recently engaged. The
most unlikely person for God to use. Why would the God of all creation
choose someone like her to bear His Son? Why was she "highly favored" by
God over all the other women on the earth?



Well, for one thing,
God's grace (favor) is His to bestow. He needs no reason to give it.
Indeed, any human attempt to gain it nullifies His precious gift of
grace. So what did the Lord see in Mary that would cause Him to choose
her for such a task?



I think the answer is best found in these verses:



"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." ~Luke 1:38, NIV



Obedience and Humility

We
live in a society of entitlement, where we demand our rights and our
way. But Mary recognized her place in relation to God. She was His
servant, not the other way around. So many times we treat God like He's
the one serving us. May we become more like Mary, asking for God's will
to be done in our lives.



And Mary said: "My soul
glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has
been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all
generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great
things for me—holy is His name." ~Luke 1:46-49, NIV



Praise and Thanksgiving

Mary
was quick to publicly express her gratitude and direct her praise to
God. How easy it would have been for her to become proud and say, "God
chose me, so I must be better than all the other girls out there."



Instead
she poured out her heartfelt praise at the joy she felt in being chosen
of God--the Mighty One, the One whose name is holy.



Then
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: "This child is
destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a
sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts
will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." ~Luke
2:34-35, NIV



But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. ~Luke 2:51b, NIV



Accepting

Every
opportunity brings with it the potential for great blessing and great
sorrow. Mary's task was no exception. There was no way she could have
foreseen the heartache she would have to endure when Gabriel appeared
with his announcement, but it probably didn't take long for her to
realize her God-appointment wouldn't always be an easy job. Yet she
"treasured ALL these things in her heart."



Lord God,
the Mighty One whose name is holy, how we praise You for the story of
redemption, for God coming to earth in the form of a helpless baby. We
thank You for the example of Mary. May we be quick to recognize our
place--humble servants, ready to do Your bidding. Give us servant
hearts. May we respond to the tasks You give us with praise and
thanksgiving, grateful for the small part You've given us to play in
Your story. Then Father, may we also be accepting of the difficulties,
the times when our hearts will be pierced, knowing that You can bring
great good out of even these. We love and praise You, and thank You
again for demonstrating Your love to us by sending Your only Son to save
us from our sins. Amen.