Mary’s life was just what any young Jewish girl in the first century could hope for. She was secure in a strong community and a loving family. She was engaged to a good, righteous man who could provide well for their future together.
Mary knew who she was and what the days ahead had in store. She was “a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (Luke 1:27).
Then Gabriel showed up.
God’s plan to save mankind had been put into motion. When His eternal purposes crashed into the physical realm, everything changed for Mary.
God chose Mary to be the mother of the Savior, to be the vessel He would use to bring His Son into the world.
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
Mary submitted herself to God’s will.
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s obedience changed her future. Her submission to God’s plan changed her. It even changed how the world would see her. Then and today.
Mary willingly laid down her own plans for God’s plans. She set aside her own dreams for the future for God’s purposes for eternity. In the process, she offered God the girl she was, and received the woman God created her to be.
Mary’s view of herself and her future was not bad. It was simply far less than what God had determined for her. She saw herself with human eyes, with limited, temporal vision. Then God opened her eyes to His vision.
How do you see yourself? Maybe your identity is based solely on human plans and purposes. When we give ourselves wholly to God, He will begin to grow and shape us into the women He created us to be. Women who can carry out His God-sized purposes for our lives.
Why would we settle for less? Why would we want to be someone less?
Sisters, Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full. Let’s give our human-sized view of ourselves to God this Christmas and accept the fullness of everything He’s designed us to be.
In what ways do you still cling to your own identity? How can you offer that fully to God today?
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