HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in LukeExemplo

His Plan, Not Mine

In today’s passage, we can learn an invaluable principle from the words of Mary. In response to Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would soon give birth to a child conceived by the Holy Spirit, she simply responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” In essence, Mary was saying that no matter how outrageous this prediction appeared on its surface, she believed Gabriel’s words had come from her Heavenly Father and she would trust Him completely. She did not focus on what would likely have been natural responses, such as: “what will people think, my parents are going to freak out, will I be stoned to death, what if Joseph dumps me and I’m all alone, what if … etc.” Instead, she declared unequivocally that she would surrender her will to her Heavenly Father’s divine plan despite the earthly consequences.  

Perhaps this kind of response can encourage us today. Even though we may be suffering on many different levels and our circumstances seem confusing, we can declare to ourselves and to those around us that we will surrender our will in order that we may ultimately fulfill the purposes of our Heavenly Father. In other words, we can try to focus on the possibilities of how our suffering could advance His Kingdom.  

QUESTIONS:

1. Could my suffering and/or my response to my suffering bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?
2. Am I willing to walk through this valley, trusting that my Father is with me and that He is capable of all things?
3. Is there someone else who is suffering whom I could encourage with these words today?