Luke 1:26-38
Be Still: Holy Spirit, would you come and rest on me now, drawing my attention to your presence and what you want to say to me today. Amen
Read: Luke 1:26-38
For no word from God will ever fail. (v37)
Encounter: Today the church traditionally celebrates the Annunciation: nine months before the Nativity story. This is the moment when the angel Gabriel announces the conception of Jesus to a young virgin girl called Mary.
Over the last few days, we have been thinking about stories of faith, encounters throughout the Scripture of the most amazing moments of faith-filled courage. Today’s passage could be seen as the culmination of them all. A young girl, vulnerable and fearful and yet ready to say yes to God’s words and God’s calling. Her ‘yes’, enables the Son of God to take on flesh and enter our world to save you and me.
The passage also tells the story of Elizabeth – an older, barren woman, miraculously given a baby. A virgin and a woman unable to conceive, both bearing children: ‘Nothing will be impossible with God’ (v37). We discover this beautiful truth – that God doesn’t impose himself on us, but rather invites us into the story. We are given agency to decide, to choose whether we will step in with a ‘yes’ or hold back.
Apply: Generally, we are pretty capable people, keen on being independent self-starters, reliant on doing things our own way. And yet there are so many things that are completely out of our control: circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. The Bible shows us that the miracles, the mystery, the wonder, the hope begin when we hear the invitation from Jesus and choose to say yes and step in. Do you need to be reminded today that ‘nothing is impossible with God’? Hear the reminder that God himself chooses to walk alongside us, inviting us to adventure with him every day. Will you give him your ‘yes’?
Devote: Lord, there is so much of life I don’t understand – sometimes I can’t even see the next step. And yet I choose today to trust you, to put my hand in yours and step forward with you leading the way. Thank you that you will never let me go.