SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38

OBSERVATION:
What did the angel look like? Mary is troubled by his words, not by his appearance, so we can presume that he did not appear in a scary way. At other times an angel might be frightening, but it makes sense that he appeared in a positive, non-frightening manner to a young girl.
What an assignment, for a young girl (13-15?) to be made pregnant by God, while engaged to someone else, to give birth to the Messiah?
Compare Mary’s question (v.34) with Zechariah’s (Luke 1:18), which Gabriel calls doubting God in his case. Is the difference that Mary is a young girl and Zechariah is a priest?
Mary’s surrender to God’s announcement is unbelievable, remarkable, and a pattern for others to follow.

APPLICATION:
God often asks us to do difficult things, to go through difficult challenges, to endure trials that we would rather not endure. Do we see these as assignments from God, a part of His plan of salvation, or do we see them as burdens, obstacles to our own dreams and goals.
We can either resist God’s plan for our life or we can surrender to it. Surrendering to it doesn’t mean life will be easier, but it is the best way to go, because God will provide what we need to make it through, as well as accomplish His plan of salvation through us.
Mary had a choice to surrender to God’s plan, or to refuse and fulfill her own dreams and desires. How many of us choose our own dreams and goals over Gods?

PRAYER:
Lord, deep down I am more driven by my own agenda and plans than I am by Yours. When You lead me into a difficult time, I resist You, blame You, grumble against You, and fight with all my strength to restore my own agenda and plan. Help me to surrender to Your purpose and to trust that Your way is the best way, for me and for everyone else! Amen.