…not many mighty, not many noble, are called. I Cor. 1:26 b

God Chooses the Weak

My parents took me to church from age eight to twelve but I knew little of the Bible’s teachings. I was a sheltered, shy, quiet, poor, weak, and common girl. 

At age twenty-three, after my salvation was secure, God called me to teach Sunday school. I wasn’t well versed, but I was willing. I prayed, I studied and I learned more of God’s Word. Surrendering to serve God at a young, naive, age is hard but nothing is impossible with God. I would do it again. 

Common Girl

Mary is believed to have been around fourteen years of age when Gabriel came to visit. I envision her performing daily tasks of gathering water, cooking, and baking when he appeared. Mary was a common girl from a common town, but her visit from an uncommon guest would forever change her life.

Highly Favored and Blessed

It is possible to read the annunciation in Luke chapter one and feel we cannot relate to Mary. After all, she was chosen to give birth to God’s Son. Therefore, she must have been more of a woman than all other women.  Although only one woman could be chosen to birth Jesus, we can all serve God. Gabriel’s announcement that Mary was highly favored and blessed among women must have been surprising news.

Troubled

Furthermore, what unexpected guest comes in with such a greeting as Hail thou art highly favored? Mary’s immediate response to the angel was to feel troubled and wonder what manner of salutation she was hearing. Gabriel then proceeded to deliver God’s message: Mary was to conceive, give birth to God’s Son and name him Jesus. This news would trouble any woman, especially a virgin.

How Can This Be?

How was it possible to conceive without a man? Mary was promised to Joseph but she had never known him or any other man. Gabriel informed her the Holy Ghost would come upon her and the power of the Highest would overshadow her. Therefore this holy baby would be the Son of God. Mary’s heavenly host reminded her that nothing would be impossible with God.

Surrender 

Let’s pay close attention to Mary’s words of surrender: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word. She beheld or perceived Gabriel’s news. Mary was a handmaid, her essential purpose was to serve God by birthing Jesus. Accepting God’s call according to His Word came quickly to Mary. 

Glory in the Lord

Ladies, we too can be quick to serve our Savior, whatever the call might be. Mary encountered much hardship and heartache over the course of her life but I would imagine she would have done it again. Indeed, she was highly blessed and favored but so are all women. Let’s be willing to serve, for the Glory of God. We will not regret it.

WORDS OF TRUTH 

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are;

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

I Corinthians 1:26-29