When Gabriel first tells Mary that she is to be the mother of Jesus (and clarifies a few confusing details for her!) her response is, "Behold, the maidservant of the Lord. May it be to me as you have said," (vs. 38). Having heard the Christmas story over and over since I was about two, it's easy for me to think, "Of course that's what she said; Mary was one of the 'good people' in the Bible!" But, then, it's easy to brush aside some of the details I've learned as a teenager/adult, like:
- Mary may have been as young as 14 when she gave birth to Jesus. She might have even been 13 when the angel came to her.
- She was engaged but not married. In her time and culture, having a baby out of wedlock (especially a baby that wasn't her fiancee's) wouldn't just mean nasty talk behind her back; it could mean death by stoning.
- That even if Joseph had broken off their engagement "quietly" as he planned to in order to spare her from public disgrace, her life still might have fallen apart- she couldn't simply go out and get a job or apply for government assistance in order to support herself and her child.
- The tremendous responsibility that fell upon her- as I've watched several of my friends become moms for the first time (or second, third, or fourth time!) the all seem to ask the same questions: "Can I handle this?" "Will I be a good mom?" "What if I don't raise this child right?" How many times would these concerns be amplified to an unmarried teenager responsible for raising the Son of God, who was to save His people from their sins?
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
I picture myself at age 13 or 14- in middle school, involved in my church youth group and school Bible club, but if God had called me to risk my life, my reputation, and my entire future, would I not only have said yes, but sang a song of praise to Him?
As most of you know, God has called me to (temporarily, at least,) lay down my own goals and dreams and go serve Him in Spain. Even my friends and family who don't share in my faith are excited for me. If I don't make a career out of missions, then having lived abroad and had my own classroom will look great on my grad school applications and resumes. Sometimes (well, most of the time!) the stress of support-raising and other details seem overwhelming, but I can hardly say that what God has asked of me holds a candle to what He asked of Mary 2,000 years ago...and, although I don't know what my future holds, I can't forsee anything that God would call me to having the same magnitude of what Mary was called to do. As I begin a new year, with my departure date for Spain coming closer and an uncertain future ahead of me, it is my prayer that, whatever God asks of me, I may have the same unhindered, joyful response as Mary in Luke 1.
"Behold, the maidservant of the Lord."
