I love how C.S. Lewis sets the scene of Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. Lewis says that God’s great plan “narrows and narrows until at last it comes down to a little point, small as the point of a spear— a Jewish girl at her prayers.”
Later, after she’s had time to ponder it all, Mary bursts into song at what she has learned about the goodness, power, and faithfulness of Israel’s God.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has looked upon the humble state of His slave,
For behold, from this time on, all generations will count me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
He has done a mighty deed with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his seed forever.
(Luke 1:46-55 LSB)
In the moments leading up to Gabriel’s appearance, Mary would have had no idea that the time had arrived for God’s ancient promises to come true and that she was to play such a pivotal (and painful) role in fulfilling those promises.
In the moments before Gabriel appeared and changed her world (and ours), all Mary knew was that Yahweh had made lavish promises to her people and that He had demonstrated His fearsome power in delivering His people from their bondage to Egypt.
We are all Mary. In the dark circumstances of this moment, in the utter chaos of our world, we, like Mary, may never find outward security. But we can know this much: God keeps His promises, and His timing is always impeccable.
We can also know that when He calls us to play our role in His work, He will give us the grace and strength to say, with Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.”
Whatever God asks of you, say yes.
Paul Pyle is a writer.