Lifted Vision Ministry

Let’s talk about Mary, the mother of Jesus for a minute.

Here’s what we know about young Mary. Mary was living a Godly life before she was enlightened to her, “life mission” from God. She was serving God, in a God-honoring relationship with her fiancé, abstaining from sin and working with her hands (Luke 1). We know from the Bible that Mary’s relationship with God came First and Foremost in her life.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would bare a child as a virgin (and not just any child, mind you, but the Savior of the World), Mary reacted as many of us would. Let’s look at how the conversation between Mary and the arch angel Gabriel transpired:

“Gabriel [the angel of God] appeared to her [Mary] and said, ‘Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!’ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.” – Luke 1: 28- 29 NLT –

Mary was in God’s will and when she was confronted with her mission and calling from God, she reacted confused… disturbed… Was this a normal reaction? Well, if you’re wondering that, put yourself in this scenario: if a non-earthly being suddenly appeared to you and told you the future of your life and that you would accomplish a biologically and physically impossible feat at that, would you also be extremely worried and confused initially? I know I would! What can this tell us about the style of God in the way that He calls us to carry out His mission? I believe that God is the King of Good surprises!

It’s true that God’s plan for our life can sometimes take an unexpected form as it did in Mary’s case. In fact- God’s plan for our life often will and should surprise us on some level. That’s because what is “normal” to human rationality is not God’s “normal”. What makes sense to us naturally is not the way in which God operates because He is God. God calls us to think like Him as He operates in the divine and outside of our earthy context of logic and reason. God calls us to partner with Him to do the impossible- something only He can do! This is how, as Jesus’ followers, we become the hands and feet of God on Earth! Jesus has expressly told us in His Word that:

(Jesus speaking) “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” – Luke 18: 27 NIV –

God’s plan for our life can often seem big and scary initially. It will pull us out of our comfort zone, that’s guaranteed. So how then should we respond? Let’s see what Mary did…

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” – Luke 1:34 NIV –

Mary responded to the angel with a question; she interacted with the angel to gain clarification about her role in God’s plan. We should follow Mary’s example in this: When God gives us direction, we should talk to Him about it and inquire of the Lord by interacting with Him. He is our Father after all and will not withhold any information from us if we ask Him!

(Jesus Speaking) ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” – Luke 11: 10-13 –

We must trust that God is good and will answer us when we ask Him anything about life – including our calling.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, (here’s our instruction) you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. – James 1: 5-7 –

The key when asking God about something, is to be filled with faith and expectation for the Lord’s answer. This is pleasing to God and the way in which he requires us to come to Him- in full faith of His ability to deliver that which we asked of Him.

Mary was a woman full of faith in God and she was confident in the Lord’s instructions, although she didn’t understand or fully comprehend what the Lord’s plans would entail at the time. She took a step of faith towards God and was greatly rewarded with the high honor and privilege to carry and deliver the Savior of the World, our King and Lord, Jesus! Mary accomplished incredible things with God and for God. Mary may have been scared for a moment, but upon receiving clarification from the angel of the Lord, Mary responded to the call of the Lord:

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:39 –

I love this verse, because it is Mary’s declaration to partner with God and His plans. She knew who she was (the Lord’s servant) and gave full permission in the spiritual realm for God to have His way in her life (“may your word to me be fulfilled).”

So what did we learn from Mary’s behavior? Let’s follow Mary’s excellent example in our life by doing the following:

1. Walking in obedience to Christ while we wait for our next assignment
2. Listening to God even when we can’t comprehend the depth of the assignment, in faith
3. Talking to God about our concerns/cares/worries and asking for clarification about what He is doing/wants to do. When we ask God anything, we do it in complete faith and trust that He will answer us
4. Knowing our identity in Christ (we are called, powerful, loved, saved and capable)
5. Declaring and decreeing that the Lord’s will be done. Saying it out loud; giving God our “yes” and thus giving God permission to do what He wants to in our lives

I pray that you all remain encouraged in your walk! Be blessed dear ones!