God always defies human logic. He never reacts the way we think our actions would warrant, and He uses the most unlikely candidate to speak to, a teenage GIRL! God ended four hundred years of hopelessness with a divine visitation in the form of a greeting to a young girl by sending the angel Gabriel to her and saying,
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).
Look at Mary’s response in Luke 1:29, the Bible says,
“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”
In other words, Mary was skeptical and probably thinking,
“Me, highly favored?”
The word translated “troubled” in Luke 1:29 is such a strong and intensive verb, it is not used anywhere else in Scripture. It has the connotation of being greatly agitated or upset. Mary was in turmoil, I’m sure she thought that favor was for the elite group of society not an unknown girl from a poor town like Nazareth. But favor has nothing to do with your vocation or location. According to human standards Mary’s life was far from being elite or perfect.
Regardless of her initial reaction to all that Gabriel had to share with Mary regarding what was about to take place she humbly accepted the challenge by responding,
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her (Luke 1:38).
Thank you Mom!
Thank God that He doesn’t see us as we see ourselves. He is such a wonderful, caring Father.
Oh my goodness.
God is leading me down a path of healing.
Years ago I received word from God, that a big part of my healing would come when I have my own kids.
I had also always felt that God was working up to my 30th birthday (I am not sure why).
My mother died when I was 11 months old.
My father was heavily depressed thereafter and became an alcoholic.
Then he died when I was 18.
Had some toxic, destructive and abusive years in between.
Eating disorders, self abuse, depression you name it.
And well, exactly 28 days before my 30th birthday (which was May this year), my daughter Inneke was born. (We chose her name before knowing what it meant – and then we were astonished when we learned that it means “God heals and makes whole”. And as God keeps His promises, the road to my healing has started, because now being a mom of two has shed a very bright and uncomfortable light on the strong grip that fear has over my life.
Fear of death, separation, depression, failure, falling short, inadequacy, rejection, abandonment…the list goes on.
I listened to the podcast; “Overcoming Deep Wounds” with Lisa Bevere, looked up this website and landed on bits of gold under the blog tab.
WOW, has God used your life and these platforms to position me for change over these past 48 hours.
How good is God.
Thanks for the response on Instagram too Maria.
May God bless you!