May it be to me as you have said

May it be to me as you have said

“I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered, may it be to me as you have said." - Luke 1:38
The angel Gabriel visits Mary, betrothed or engaged to Joseph the carpenter. Suddenly she is hearing an incredible message, that she, a virgin, without a physical man being involved, is going to be pregnant with the Son of God!

I am sure she thought twice before telling Joseph about this message. To actually own this message could have huge implications on herself and her relationships with friends and family. What would it look like to others? Would Joseph disown her? Would she be stoned to death - the punishment for extra-marital sex? And what would it be like to be the mother of the Son of God? Would she have to be even more on her guard, to be obedient to God and live a holy life?

How would we have reacted? Would we be thinking of the implications, of the potential dangers or sacrifices? Or would we have immediately reacted as Mary did? "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said".

God has a plan for each of us. He has something for us to do. At the right time, he will prepare us for this purpose, and get us ready for it. But there will be a moment of decision. Will I be obedient to God's purpose, in spite of the risks that may be involved? Or will I walk away, and never know what could have been if I had followed God's will for my life?

I pray that we will be so strong in our relationship with God, that we will trust him to take care of all the question marks, while we tell Him, "May it be to me as you have said".

We will remember them, with thanks

We will remember them, with thanks

Hebrews 11:39-40 "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect"

Today is Veterans' Day here in the USA, when we remember those who went before us, who gave their lives for our freedom. Many cared enough about their fellowman that they were willing to risk their lives to make this world a better place.

In the UK as well, today we remember those who fell in battle, in particular those who fell in the First World War, but including all military service personnel, past and present

The apostle Paul remembers those who went before us, in Hebrews 11. He lists many of the heroes of the faith, and commends them for their faithfulness to the cause of God's kingdom. These saints persevered as representatives of the Kingdom of God, in a foreign country. They were ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) living among people who did not want God in their lives. We all usd to be like this (Eph 2), we all once lived perverse lives, alienated from God and destined for destruction.

But in God's mercy, He sent us His Son Jesus, to die for our freedom, so that we could be set free from the life of bondage and death. Jesus came willingly, like Isaac of old, to be sacrificed on the altar of God's justice, so that the penalty for our sins could be paid.

Truly, Jesus gave his life so that we might be free. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

"Lord we turn to You in gratitude for your selfless giving of yourself so that we might be free. We love you Lord Jesus!".