faith like mary.

Mary was young. She was between the ages of 12-14 years old. I have two girls; one is 12 and the other is 14. I cannot imagine either of my girls engaged to be married at this age!

I really cannot imagine how my girls would handle a visit from an angel with such a special message. I am sure they would immediately text a friend or four…then they would tell their Dad and me. We would ask questions to verify if this was a real encounter or something embellished, or more concerning, made up. What lengths would they go to – to get themselves out of the situation in which they now find themselves…Pregnant?

My girls love Jesus and have a relationship with Him, but are their relationships so close that they would find favor with God? At 12 and 14, what did Mary’s faith look like? The kind of faith that Gabriel was sent from God and appeared to her, apparently!

“And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” – Luke 1:28  

This is the same Gabriel that appeared to Daniel (Daniel 8) and appeared to Zechariah (Luke 1:19). He then appeared to Mary, a young, unmarried woman.

Mary’s response is IMPRESSIVE! She doesn’t freak out. She doesn’t run off to tell others. She asked “HOW?” and Gabriel responds, “The Holy Spirit will come on you.”

At this point, I would have so many questions. But Mary then responds with…

“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” – Luke 1:38

Mary, at a young age, was set apart and used by God. When she didn’t fully understand all that was to come, she trusted God. She faithfully rose to the task. Mary had to know that some hard and awkward conversations were in her future, but she was willing to have them because of her intimacy with God.

Mary laid aside her doubts, fears, and what-ifs. She trusted the Word of the Lord spoken to her. Mary walked out this calling day by day – moment by moment. Let’s learn from Mary and lay aside our fears. Let’s rise up to where God is calling us and walk day by day in faithful obedience to the One who has called us.