Read:
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”“I am the Lordʼs servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
~Luke 1:34-38
Consider:
“I am the Lord’s servant.” With these five words Mary turned her heart to God. She died to self so she could live for God’s plan. She willingly sacrificed her will and submitted to God’s perfect will for her life. When God interrupted her life, she responded with immediate obedience, while the angel was still with her.
How do we respond when God interrupts our lives? Do we ask question after question? Do we make excuses as to why we can’t do as He asks? Do we even ignore His interruption or refuse to recognize His hand at work? I’m afraid too often “my will” wins over God’s will in our lives.
“My will” is selfish, thinking only about how situations effect me. “My will” wants what I think is best for me. But submitting to God’s will conforms our hearts and our desires to God’s heart and His desires. As God’s Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and minds we look at situations differently. We begin to trust God’s perspective on things rather than our own and within that trust we find the desire to obey. And that is what God really desires from us~our obedience.
As we turn our hearts toward Christmas this year, let’s respond like Mary:
I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.
Let’s lay down “my will” and submit to God’s perfect will. Like the Psalmist declare:
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
~Psalm 119:5-8 (NLT)
Breathe:
Breathe in His love…exhale all your struggles…
God’s love for you never fails. His perspective on your life is perfect. Trust Him and submit to His perfect will today.
Journal:
1. What area of your life do you need to submit to God’s will?
2. What is preventing you from submitting? Lack of trust? Selfishness? Fear?
3. What is one thing you can do today to let go of your selfish desires and submit to God’s will?
Pray:
Lord, please don’t give up on me even though it seems I fail so often. Transform my heart and mind through the power of Your Holy spirit today. Change my perspective~conform my will to Yours. I submit fully to You. “I am the Lord’s servant.” In Your Son’s precious name I pray…Amen!