Trust Issues
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.” Luke 26-27In most pictures depicting the annunciation, there is an angel floating above where Mary lay clearly communicating with her but when I read this verse I see some person sent to give Mary the news. It makes me think of the people who are sent into my own life to prepare me for something. Often, it is years later that I finally have some understanding of their role. It makes me wonder, was Gabriel in celestial form? Do we read it as such because our understanding of “angels” is something otherworldly rather than the people we meet along the way. I can tell you I have met angels. They would deny they were angels. Their behavior is not always angelic. They are not always reverent. They are not always willing to comfort or support me, nonetheless, I see them as angels. They help me in some way prepare to grow. What Mary is being prepared for is something no person ever could. If you have ever been pregnant you know that no matter how “prepared” you may think you are, you are never fully prepared. To be charged with caring for another life is, in the truest sense of the word, an awesome thing indeed. Now, imagine being fourteen, unmarried, and trusting only in the words of an angel. This is the part that stuns me…the trust. The quote on the side of this post really speaks to the power of Mary’s faith. A good Jewish girl, she knew that there might be repercussions, but she said yes anyway. Her knowledge of Scripture, the witness of faith within her community gave her some kind of confidence that allowed her to step up when it mattered. This is why Mary is my hero. This is a theme that we will revisit as we journey through Advent together, the trust required to take God as his Word. Give it some thought; who are your angels? Are you willing to take God at his Word? More tomorrow.
