Truth or Lie??

Can you imagine being told you were the one chosen to carry the son of God in your womb…as a preteen?!  Okay, so at age 12, you were making the cheer squad, getting your first kiss, and learning how to survive school without getting into a catfight with another hormone raging girlfriend. Many of us women just wanted to make our parents proud by making the honor roll.  Mary had to carry the One who would save the world!  That’s a little bit of pressure.

So it is suggested that Mary could have been that young. She was a sweet little virgin girl chosen by God to bear His son, the hope of the world.  She obviously loved and feared her God, and I’m sure her parents had high hopes for her and that Joseph boy she was betrothed to.

Until…

She got pregnant.

That poor baby!!! Yes, Mary.  She was just a baby.  Not only was she staring into the face of an angel whose words sent shock through her entire being, she had to face her parents and relatives who would in no way believe this over- imaginative and dramatic girl’s story.  

Then there was the boyfriend.  What would he say or do?  Would he leave her or stick by her side? In Matthew’s account, Joseph contemplated “putting her away” or divorcing her for her infidelity until thankfully the angel appeared to him. All because of her, his reputation would be at stake for the rest of his life. I am picturing her lying in her bed crying her little eyes out. How overwhelming and stressful to even think about!!

Yet my mind settles on a verse.

Luke 1:38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. '"May it be to me as you have said."

What???!!!

Everyone she knew had to have been judging her.  How bad that must have hurt, especially coming from the ones she loved the most.  Yet, her love for her God was greater than her desire for the approval of man. She could have allowed their stares and words to keep her from obeying her God, yet she walked with her son all the way to the cross.

She was God’s servant. 

I looked up the Greek word for “servant” in this verse. The word, “doule,” is defined as “ a slave or one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will.”

Facing the fear of losing the approval of so many, she believed the word God spoke to her and gave herself entirely to his will while I’m sure she was at battle with her own.

In the book of Luke, Mary immediately visited her cousin Elizabeth. Thank goodness for sweet Elizabeth!!  Also pregnant, her baby leaped in her womb as Mary greeted her.  “Blessed” is the word Elizabeth used to describe Mary because of her belief in God’s word (vs.45). “Blessed”…are you kidding me???

Mary referred to herself as a “lowly servant” later on in chapter one and she sings a song about the mighty things God has done for her.

What wisdom and maturity. I’m not sure I could have emotionally handled that…especially in the days before chocolate!!!

I was thinking of her story and asking what I could learn from her and share with you.

Some of us, like Mary, have been labeled by those we love. We have lived with labels because of mistakes we have made and lived with false labels as well.

Some of us, like Mary, are holding on to promises from God. Until Mary felt that baby kick her in the ribs, she only had a word to hold onto.  Maybe you are at a place where you do not “feel” God. His word is all you have.

Some of us, like Mary, have been tempted to wear those labels and give up on our babies (dreams).

Speaking of temptation, my mind goes to Eve's story. Eve was another woman presented with a choice to believe a word.  An angel also appeared to her, but this fallen angel, satan himself, twisted God's word.  He asked Eve what God had told her and then said, "Did God really say...?"  He presented her with a question and as she analyzed, he decieved and she believed the lie.  She felt God was holding out on her.
 

The question is, will you like Eve, believe the lie that God is holding out on you? Or will you believe, like Mary, that God’s word stands above all else? Mary talked to an angel.  SHE KNEW THE TRUTH no matter what any one else said.

James 1:22-25

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

May we choose to look carefully at the truth of God's word.
 

When you fail, His word remains.  When others give up on you, His word remains.  Let’s ask ourselves each time we are faced with the choice to believe the lies or give up on the dreams, “What is the truth?”

Recently, I have been battling insecurity in my role as a wife and mother.  I have compared myself with others and have many times “felt” like a failure. Normally, I would just accept that as truth.  Yet, today I am challenged once again to know the truth of God’s word. 

His word says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” His word says “ I am hidden in Christ” so even if I mess up, his grace is enough to cover me.  His word says, “ I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus…yes, my righteousness is as filthy rags on my own, but "I am not my own, I am bought with a price!!"  "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" WHOOOO!

That will preach!!

You know God’s voice.  You may not always feel it, but when you go to his word, when you recall when he first gave you the dream or changed your name… something has to leap in your spirit!

Like Mary, you are blessed among women…and that is the gospel truth!

Luke 1:45

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.