How would we react if we were a young girl of about thirteen years
and an angel appeared and boldly proclaimed: "You will be with child and
give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." (Luke 1:31
NIV)
Would we be happy? Or would we be puzzled, possibly even
angry?
Naturally, our first question would be, like Mary: "How
will this be -- since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34 NIV)
Yet this
is the only question Mary asked the angel. The only one! No mention
about it being unfair. She had, after all, her whole life in front of
her. She had plans in the making, even a fiance. But despite the fact
that this was all now at stake, she didn't even give a hint of reproach.
She would soon become aware that her neighbourhood would become a
busy network of whisperings and false accusations. She would definitely
be featured on Gossip Magazine, and her fiance would likely become
suspicious as well, and would possibly break their engagement. She
couldn't blame him for that, yet there was still no word of discontent.
No hint of unforgiveness or the "this isn't fair" syndrome. Instead she
concluded: "I am the Lord's servant . . . May it be to me as you have
said." (Luke 1:38 NIV)
Would we be able to bestow even the
tiniest bit of the grace shown by Mary? Or would our story be a bit more
lethal, with quite possibly more than a hint of accusation?
Like
Mary, we have all have been given a task by God: "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded you." (Matt 28:18-20 NIV)
But are we chomping at
the bit to fulfill that task? We are talking about the Good News here.
We have been set free and others can experience that freedom as well.
Why are we so reluctant to share such a glorious newsflash?
True,
some of us come forth and respond to such invitations, through a church,
through an online ministry or by directly helping those in need. We feel
an inner hunger for making a difference in this world, and we respond to
Jesus' invitation. But still, we tend to hesitate and think of backup
plans, more cleverly designed than D Day itself! Although we feel the
confirmation coming from God, we enter with doubt in our minds.
Then, just like Mary experienced, adversity reaches us. "Shouldn't
everything be running smooth when we serve the Lord?" We may be asking
ourselves, forgetting that the evil one will always try to discourage
any endeavours to follow any of God's assignment. Sadly, many leave
their ministries due to the trouble they may be facing. Some even become
bitter, accusing God of not being there, forgetting what Jesus told
them: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world." (John 16:33 NIV)
Had they only persevered, victory would
have been forthcoming! Instead, unlike Mary, unforgiveness festers their
souls and they become bitter and far from being approachable.
Too
often and too late we realize the power of forgiveness. Even though we
were all called to experience it fully!
It was Feb. 20, 2011, and
a twenty-year old girl was traveling on the roads of Auckland, New
Zealand. She had six other youngsters in the vehicle with her, a vehicle
that was only designed to safely hold five. The inevitable happened.
They crashed, and she found herself trapped in the rubble, slowly dying.
Regrets flooded her. You see, there had been a nasty fight with her
sister just the day before, and her dying words were for her sister: "I
am so sorry."
May this Christmas Day be one of jubilation, where
forgiveness is your choice gift, where you can truly say: "I am the
Lord's servant", and "Jesus, I want to follow You with all of my heart,
soul and strength. You are my everything!"
Remember, God has a
special assignment for you. It's up to you to either accept or reject
it.
Rob Chaffart
I am the Lord's Servant. A Message of Forgiveness Part 3
Today's Bible Verse:
"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus." (Luke 1:31)
I am the Lord's Servant. A Message of Forgiveness Part 3
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