Picture the Bible Reflection for April 26, 2021
This week we’re looking at “The Annunciation” where Mary is told she is going to have a baby and that the baby would be the Messiah. You can read the story here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A26-56&version=NIV
Let’s think about our human nature within this story. Someone comes to you and says something that you would never expect to hear. Something completely impossible and unimaginable. For Mary, it’s being told she would give birth to a son, who is the Messiah. Through verses 26-38, the angel Gabriel and Mary had this conversation. First, she’s visited by an angel. Second, the angel says she is highly favoured. Third, you’re going to have a baby. Fourth, Elizabeth will have a baby too. (I wonder how long the conversation lasted or if it was as simple and brief as it is written.)
Have you ever been told something and it’s just so big or too much that you have a roller coaster of emotions within it? I like Mary’s resolve in verse 38. “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” What if that was our response to any surprising news? Even the bad stuff? I know when I hear something, a new idea or bad news or something… it often just plants a seed. My natural reaction is resistance and doubt. Often it will take a few hours or a few days (or even longer) for me to come around to the reality as my mind, body, soul, and faith need a little time to process it and grapple with what is. I wonder if I took hold of Mary’s kind of resolve immediately, if my processing may be sped up. I don’t know, but I’m willing to try it out. The next time someone tells me something that I feel myself resisting, I’ll hold onto the words “I am the Lord’s servant” and may your words enter my heart so that God’s will shall be fulfilled.
A song for us today is “Your Will be Done” posted by CityAlight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLXXephYRI
Will you pray with me?
O Holy One, Mystery Divine, we give thanks for the great mystery of life. We give you thanks for the ability to connect with and love others. We give you thanks for the opportunities laid before us, even when some difficult decisions may need to be made within them. Help us, O God, to see your will or to be open to your will. Help us to let go of our own human nature when are scared or hesitant, when we resist or when we are confused. May we find purpose in the trials, in the celebrations, in the opportunities, and throughout all our journey of life – no matter how long or short that timeline is. May we be surrounded by angels who remind us that we are yours, loved and called. Be with us this day and all our days, within your mercy and grace we pray. Amen.
This week we’re looking at “The Annunciation” where Mary is told she is going to have a baby and that the baby would be the Messiah. You can read the story here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A26-56&version=NIV
Let’s think about our human nature within this story. Someone comes to you and says something that you would never expect to hear. Something completely impossible and unimaginable. For Mary, it’s being told she would give birth to a son, who is the Messiah. Through verses 26-38, the angel Gabriel and Mary had this conversation. First, she’s visited by an angel. Second, the angel says she is highly favoured. Third, you’re going to have a baby. Fourth, Elizabeth will have a baby too. (I wonder how long the conversation lasted or if it was as simple and brief as it is written.)
Have you ever been told something and it’s just so big or too much that you have a roller coaster of emotions within it? I like Mary’s resolve in verse 38. “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” What if that was our response to any surprising news? Even the bad stuff? I know when I hear something, a new idea or bad news or something… it often just plants a seed. My natural reaction is resistance and doubt. Often it will take a few hours or a few days (or even longer) for me to come around to the reality as my mind, body, soul, and faith need a little time to process it and grapple with what is. I wonder if I took hold of Mary’s kind of resolve immediately, if my processing may be sped up. I don’t know, but I’m willing to try it out. The next time someone tells me something that I feel myself resisting, I’ll hold onto the words “I am the Lord’s servant” and may your words enter my heart so that God’s will shall be fulfilled.
A song for us today is “Your Will be Done” posted by CityAlight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLXXephYRI
Will you pray with me?
O Holy One, Mystery Divine, we give thanks for the great mystery of life. We give you thanks for the ability to connect with and love others. We give you thanks for the opportunities laid before us, even when some difficult decisions may need to be made within them. Help us, O God, to see your will or to be open to your will. Help us to let go of our own human nature when are scared or hesitant, when we resist or when we are confused. May we find purpose in the trials, in the celebrations, in the opportunities, and throughout all our journey of life – no matter how long or short that timeline is. May we be surrounded by angels who remind us that we are yours, loved and called. Be with us this day and all our days, within your mercy and grace we pray. Amen.
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