Focus
Turn off your cell phone, TV, or radio. Listen to the silence that is around you. Listen for God to speak to you.
Read
Luke 1:26-38 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Reflect
I love church signs! While riding through a small town recently I saw a church sign that read:
If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!
Seeing this sign gave me a chuckle, but it also caused me to reflect about how I invest a lot of energy and time in planning my daily work and home schedules, my short-term goals, my long-term goals – then suddenly realize that I really don’t have much control over any it at all.
We all at some point in our journey become content and perhaps complacent at the life we have built for ourselves, with our families, our careers, etc.
Then suddenly we hear the voice.
The Lord is with you.
Mary had a similar experience. She thought she would have the typical Jewish woman’s journey – get married, have children, and live the life as of carpenter’s wife. Wow, how differently things turned out for her! A few words from God’s messenger changed her destiny. And we are forever grateful.
What about you? Do you listen for His voice in your daily walk? If not, you should!
The Lord is with you!
Pray
Lord, we thank you for your Love. We thank you for Mary, who answered your call in faith. You have told each of us, as you told Mary, that You are with us. Thank You so much for being there, in our comings and goings, throughout our journey. Through Jesus name we pray. Amen
Go with God!
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