While listening to the radio on the way to work yesterday morning, a little devotional was shared that I really appreciated. The speaker was talking about preparing our hearts for Christmas and being ready for whatever God has planned for us. She read from the book of Luke, chapter 1. The part she focused in on was when the angel appeared to Mary and told her she was going to have a Son and that He would be the Son of God. Can you imagine, a young, unmarried, virgin girl being told she's about to have a baby! While having a baby is a super exciting event, the situation as a whole must have been very scary and intimidating to her. Although she was engaged to be married, becoming pregnant before the wedding day could mean losing her soon to be husband. Would he still want to marry her? What would happen if he didn't? Would this young teen girl be left to fend for herself with a newborn baby? How could she raise him alone? These are just a few of the numerous questions that would pop into my mind in that scenario....but Mary's response was perfect and showed her faith: "'I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered, "May your word to me be fulfilled."' Wow! She didn't start pouring out questions/fear/concerns...she simply said ok. Ok God, let it be as you say. I'd like to think I have a faith like that, but if I'm completely honest with myself...I can tell you flat out that's not the case. But this is an area in which I'm trying to improve. As a Christian, I am a servant of the Lord, here to do His will, not my own. "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21).
I absolutely LOVE Mary's readiness and openness to do whatever God asks, no matter how preposterous or scary it may seem. She humbled herself to His will because she knew He had a plan and she desired His purpose to prevail. How cool is that. And look at the book of Isaiah! "Then I heard the voice of the Lord
saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here I
am, send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8). In 1 Samuel it is written "Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, 'Here I am'." I desperately want that kind of faith. But so often I find excuses, big and small (I'm too busy, that's too hard, I don't want to, I have other plans, I'm not smart/strong/skilled enough, etc). Many times I don't even realize I'm making the excuse until it's too late. Little by little I am getting better at this. But I pray one day my response may be a quick and solid "Here I am Lord, send me"
(LOVE this song! <3 ) 
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