Some weeks ago I was sitting in church and remember the preacher using a certain scripture in their message. The scripture was from the first book of Luke. The story was a familiar one. An angel visits the girl Mary and tells her that she will be with child. After much debate, Mary submits to the will of God. She said these words which have stuck with me "38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38).
These words are a sign of a submission like no other. Mary was agreeing to allow her body to be used to bring forth a child. But, not any child but the baby Jesus. Now let's back up a couple of scriptures. The angel of the Lord in verse 36 tells her - "also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." WAIT!!! Stop the PRESS!!! So, now I'm a virgin about to birth the Messiah, God's child. What must Mary have been thinking. Me, her, she, Nakya would have said, "Uh God, do you really know whom you are asking??? I mean, me? You want ME to birth a holy vessel???" Could Mary truly have understood the duty that had been given upon her. I'm sure waking up that morning and hearing this were not on her day's agenda.
But, then each and every day, God asks something of us that we don't know if we are capable of. How many of us truly feel comfortable in just talking to people we don't know? While I love meeting people, there are others that this present a challenge to. How many are comfortable teaching children? Those little beings can ask some questions that will make your head spin. But, these are the everyday tasks that God asks of us. He asks us simply to put ourselves, our fears, our issues, our problems on the back burner and allow Him to be God. Many would insert a certain scripture here - "Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." While this scripture is true, what does it do to truly ease the burden of fear that we in the natural face? Now, before you holy rolly people get on me. Understand that I am not trying to discredit the Word. What I am asking is about the actual implementation of the Word. See, we are quick to answer a person's fears with a scripture, but what actual example are we giving each other daily to help us see that God is just and has the best in store for us. Yes, God knows the plans that He has for us, but telling this to a babe in Christ or an unbeliever is like telling a beaver to build without using his teeth. What I'm asking for here is this - testimony.
We all go through something. We all have been afraid. And many have overcame. Revelation 12:11 King James Version (KJV) says "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony......." See the blood is doing its job but are we? Are we sharing our testimonies one with another? Are we showing not telling each other how we made it over?
I use to love sitting and talking to my grandmother, Ida Mae Dozier. She use to tell the best stories of her youth. She would talk about growing up and even about how my grandfather courted her. Yes, courted!!! These stories were her testimony. They were given to me not just to share her life but so that I would know that I can because she did. I can (and did) raise my son with God's guidance and love. I can be a woman of virtue. I can, I can, I can. God made a way for her and He will make a way for me as He has done time and time again. She would always ask me - "Who's courting you?" In my 20's I would tell her that people don't court anymore. But now in my 40's if a man isn't willing to court me, he isn't worth my time. My grandmother's stories on how she met, fell in love with, and married my grandfather are my reminders that I am worth being courted and treated in a way that a woman should be. Many may think its old fashioned, but God's way of the road to marriage is right on time all the time.
"Be It Unto Me According To Thy Word". This is what the self-described handmaiden Mary said unto the angel in acceptance of God's command for her life. Her destiny was written before she was conceived yet she still had to accept it. What are you willing to accept your destiny? Will you continue to run from the plans that God has ordained for you? Or are you willing to be like Mary and accept the plans that He has for you? And once you accept will you share that testimony with another so they know that they can because He's done it before?
- - Be A Blessing and Not Just Blessed
Nakya