Made for More: Part TwoSample

Mary

Many of us would imagine that someone who was present from the birth of Jesus Christ to the moment of his death, would have an incredible understanding of God. Yet, Mary’s vast understanding of God came not only because she was simply his mother, but because she had readied herself to serve God in any capacity. 

While Mary is only mentioned a few dozen times in scripture, few had a vantage point to the richness and beauty of the life of Christ as Mary did. We could easily assume Mary was made for more because she had given birth to the Son of God. Yet, for Mary, beyond the night of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, God had even more in store for her. 

First, Mary learned how to have MORE TRUST in God. Mary was not only the mother of Jesus but was graced with unusual responsiveness to the presence of God. None have ever had such a word spoken over them as Mary did with her visit by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). We all know this story. We hear it every year and are so familiar with it, it’s easy to overlook the miracle, mystery, and intricate details of this encounter. 

Mary was informed she had conceived the Son of God. Of course, this word seemed utterly impossible. This supernatural moment met by a heavenly, illuminated creature must have been all things thrilling, overwhelming, and terrifying. In fact, for many of us, it may cause us to be scared to death or even make a run for it. But Mary’s first response was to understand more. “How will this be since I am a virgin?” she asked (Luke 1:34). Gabriel responded, “The Holy Spirit will come on you...”, and reassured God was at work. Mary quickly responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

How often do we feel God leading us, even in the smallest sense, and yet question or dodge the notion of his directing? When encountered with life-altering news, Mary did not delay her response. Even in her insecurities and uncertainties, she trusted and quickly committed herself as the “Lord’s servant.” How quick are we to obey God’s direction in our lives, even in the daily ways scripture guides us to, and to be readily available to serve him in any way he leads? The moment we can learn to do this is the moment we can begin to more readily trust him in the process. 

Secondly, Mary was filled with MORE PRAISE. After receiving the news, Mary visited with Elisabeth, whose husband Zacharias had also been met by an angel to learn that his wife would soon be with child (Luke 1:11-25). When Mary first greeted Elisabeth, she was a few months pregnant and the baby lept within her at the sound of Mary’s voice. The moment revealed confirmation of God’s Spirit with Mary. In response, Mary praised the Lord through a song (Luke 1:46-55). Even though she did not know all of the details of this high responsibility she was carrying, Mary lived in praise for what God was doing. 

Mary also experienced MORE LOSS, probably more painful and gut-wrenching than she could have imagined. In many ways, Mary’s life was a complete selfless submission to caring for the life of Christ. Few parents can ever fathom losing their child. Mary not only lost her son, and watched him endure great persecution, rejection, and affliction, but witnessed him die through one of the most inhuman and arduous deaths possible (John 19:25-27). Yet through the pain of this loss, Mary knew her son had come for this moment. She knew this loss was a part of this process, and God was still at work. Each of us faces losses in life. It’s hard to acknowledge God can work through them because we can feel betrayed and forgotten. But in our pain, just as Mary understood, we can see that God is at work. And as difficult as losses are, they only prepare us for more of God’s presence, knowledge, and purpose in our lives. 

Mary encountered MORE OF GOD’S PRESENCE. Having committed to being a servant of God from when she first was met by the angel (Luke 1:38), Mary’s readiness to serve led her to live in the presence of God. While many of us seek to understand, to obtain the reasoning for this life and the ways of God, we first must encounter more of his presence. Because it is through his presence that God can bring us his understanding.

To gain more of an understanding of God requires submission of trust to things we do not know. We can be so fixated on knowledge through our human minds, that we forget God is above logical reasoning (Job 36:26). If anyone had experienced something far removed from what our rational minds could conceive, it would have been Mary. Yet, setting reasoning aside and placing her devotion in the hands of God, Mary was exposed to an immeasurable understanding.

As we follow Christ, God does not require or expect us to learn everything right away. But in submitting and forming our lives to his, we will naturally grow and gain a greater understanding of God.