Luke 1:38

Aren’t these words amazing? Mary has just learned that her whole life was going to be turned upside down. Having a baby is a completely life-changing event for anyone, but to learn that she was going to be the bearer of the Son of God must have been mind blowing. But her response was that she was willing to do whatever the Lord wanted. She was content to be the Lord’s servant. How amazing!

The big question is whether we are willing to follow in her footsteps. Are we willing to trust the Lord so completely that we say to him that we are happy to do whatever he wants? This approach to life is almost the exact opposite of the thinking of our society. We are encouraged to be in control of our lives and to be suspicious of anyone who wants to order us about. The key issue is trust. Mary clearly completely trusted the Lord and so this message, incredible as it was, could be relied upon.

The idea of being someone’s servant could easily sound demeaning. But the truth is that it all depends on the master. To be a servant to an uncaring and unkind master must be a terrible thing. But to be the servant of God who loves us completely and understands everything there is to know about us, is the most liberating and joyful experience that this life offers us.

Mary’s calm and joyful acceptance of her new role is an inspiration to us as we head into today. In everything we do the Lord wants to be our master and to set us free to be the best that we can be through serving him.

Question

How do you respond to the idea of being the Lord’s servant?

Prayer

Lord God, I thank you for the privilege of serving you today. Help me to listen carefully to you and to walk closely with you in all that I do. Amen