It was an ordinary day for Mary as she busily performed her daily tasks. But she stopped in her tracks when a heavenly visitor, the angel Gabriel, greeted her and said she was highly favored.
Gabriel's words troubled Mary, and she wondered why he was there. Mary was poor and lowly, just an ordinary teen with nothing special about her. Gabriel saw her troubled expression and replied, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son and call him Jesus."
Now, Mary was even more confused because she was a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph. She wanted to know how this could happen. Gabriel told her that her conception would take place by the Spirit's power. It was all a part of God's plan. Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled."
Mary surrendered herself to God and allowed God to use her. What an honor to be visited by an angel and receive a message from God. Today, we receive instructions from God by the Holy Spirit. People often say things like, "God told me." We feel conviction from the Holy Spirit. Or maybe God sends a message through another person just for us. These are all ways God speaks to us.
God's messages are essential, as are our responses to them. We are each just as unique as Mary. We are each born with a purpose, a particular assignment. We must do our part, saying, "I am the Lord's servant; may your word be fulfilled."
Seek God to find out what plan He wants to unfold in your life. We each have a specific part in the furthering of the gospel. Be like Mary and surrender, allowing God to work through you. God has a mission and plan for you today.
Jacie Conley was born and raised in Bristow, a small Oklahoma town in the United States. She has always loved writing and, at a young age, wrote a series of devotionals and gave them to her family for Christmas. Over the years, she has continued encouraging fellow Christians through her Daily Living Hope Facebook page. She prays that people struggling and needing hope find it through her writings.