VISITING ALTARS

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the LORD has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45

Oswald Chambers writes, “What was true of the Virgin Mary in the history of the Son of God’s birth on earth is true of every saint. God’s son is born into me through the direct act of God.”

Stop and digest that for a moment—

Okay, let’s continue by looking at the circle of life.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and everything on the earth. From the earth, He birthed man and breathed life into him. He then took woman out of man and going forth every man out of woman. Man (and woman), living in the perfect Garden, exercised free will and chose self over God, the created over the Creator.  So, sin abounds, bringing death.

At the right time, through the direct act of God, His Son was placed into Mary, a willing vessel, to be birthed the Savior of the world. He lived as Adam was meant to live, perfect and sinless. He went on to die as the perfect sacrifice, and rose to life, defeating death.  So, Grace abounds more, bringing life.

And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:28,30). The angel proceeds in telling her that she will conceive of the Holy Spirit and birth a Son who will be called the Son of God.

Wow! When I think of what Mary was asked to do! She was a young girl, a religious girl, who knew what it meant in her culture to be an unwed pregnant girl. She could have very well been stoned to death. And yet, she still said yes. She chose to trust God with what seemed impossible. Think about it, God chose Mary to do something amazing; to birth the Savior of the world! What?!

He chose her, but she had to choose Him back. Jesus had to be born, so if Mary did not say yes, God would have chosen someone else. Now I know that many would say that if God knows everything, then He already knew Mary’s choice. And although that’s true, she was not a robot. That’s the beauty of free will. He is all knowing, yet He loved her enough to allow her to choose. As I’ve stated in the past, I believe that “love, to be true, requires a choice.”

I guess maybe one day, while laying at His feet in heaven, I will ask Him to explain to me how He can know, but also choose not to know at the same time, thereby allowing free will. But then again, at that point, I probably won’t care. “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” Job 11:7

We should also consider this, God knew Mary would say yes, but she didn’t know she would.

Now let’s move to the other “direct act of God” referenced above. God’s son is born into me, the believer. He lives in me, the direct act of God. This is the way God chose to live among us; changing His broken world with willing vessels.

I believe, with all my heart that Jesus is who He says He is, yet I have struggled with fear for most of my life. And at this point, I’m not even sure why. I love Jesus. I know He loves me. And I know He’ll never leave me. It is Him who gives me breath.

What Mary did for God was beyond amazing, but Mary was just a girl who said yes. I want to be a girl who says yes. So, I’m on a quest to visit altars. The altars along my journey where God has revealed His strength in me. The places where we conquered fear together; me and Jesus.

It’s proving to be a bit longer of a process than I would have liked, but I kind of knew it would be. Anytime we’re willing to let God dig deep inside, it’s bound to hurt. It’s hard, but worth the climb. The more we dig together, I’m able to see less of me and more of Him. “Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him….” Job 13:15

It is so important that we know His promises. We can’t claim what we don’t know. I’m grateful that He’s revealed many to me along the way. A couple come to mind.... Isaiah 54:11 “O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires.” And Revelation 3:11, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

Are you willing to let God have His way with you? What will you do to ready yourself for those moments when He asks something of you? Be it small, or dare we even think it may be what looks like the impossible, but is actually a miraculous and direct act of God in you, and through you.

Father, please give us the strength and especially the courage to follow You on this journey called life. For those of us who struggle with fear, help us to shatter it and replace it with faith.

And may we live from a place of blessing, as we believe that what the LORD has said to us will be accomplished.

 In Jesus Name, Amen.