Scripture Reading
Often when
I read Luke 2, I wonder how different the story would have been had Mary taken
matters into her own hands rather than surrendering her life to God. How about
you? Do you often find yourself running ahead of God, or content to watch and
wait for Him to work?
I’ve
recently discovered what I believe is the key to experiencing the awe and
wonder that Mary experienced multiple times in this chapter.
Have you
ever longed to be like Mary, in that you, “treasure
all these things, pondering on them in [your] heart”?
I do! I want to let God lead
me in all that I do with my family; children and grandchildren—and in all areas
of my life.
We’re not
only preparing to start a new year, but a new decade and I’d like this one to
be different from all the rest!
Mary, I
believe, holds the key to a life filled
with awe and wonder, but it’s actually found in Luke 1:38, when Mary says, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let
it be to me according to your word…” Did you catch that? Mary wholly
surrendered her life to the will of God in spite of any and all plans, hopes
and dreams she may have had as a young teenage girl betrothed to Joseph. She was “all in”!
Recently I
was sent on a mission back to my home state which meant I needed to fly and
stay up there for a few days at least. There were flights and hotels to book,
travel plans to be made and connections to make, yet through it all I never
worried, and it all fell into place; including the day I was to leave!
My flight
was very early in the morning, and that morning a violent storm was on it’s way
into the area. The airport was super busy and the airline companies were trying to get
as many flights out before the storm hit! The flight I took flew
out just moments before a tornado hit the area. We flew straight north, so consequently, I ended up having to fly through the storm once more on my second flight heading
east! Both flights experienced a great deal of turbulence; so much so, that even
the flight attendants remained buckled in for the entire time. I honestly
hadn’t learned of the damage done to the area until I was safely where I needed
to be, yet I never once worried about the safety of all the passengers.
This
was actually indicative of my whole trip, for everything seemed to be taken care of
immediately. I was ushered to the best tables at restaurants, received free
coffee simply because I was inquiring about it. Even the heat turned on in the
hotel room the moment I shared it seemed to be getting chilly.
My friend
who was with me and I both burst out in laughter at that moment and my
girlfriend remarked, “Of course this only
happens to you.”
I don’t
believe that for a moment, but I do believe when we choose to live a wholly
surrendered life to God, we know WHO is large and in charge, and Who carefully
watches over each and every detail. There’s no reason to worry, to panic, or try to take
matters into our own hands. When we walk with Him, wholly surrendered we get to
sit back, sort of speak, and watch Him work, and treasure all He does in our
hearts.
It’s the
way I’d like to spend not only the next year or decade, but the rest of my days
until He calls me home.
Blessings,
sue