“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” —Luke 1:30b-33 NIV

“I don’t want to, Lord! I don’t want to!” I cried. I was locked in our master bathroom, praying for a “pass” when He asked me to do something difficult … trust my husband. Fourteen years after I gave my life to Jesus, my husband became a Christian. Fourteen years of praying and waiting culminated in something I never anticipated: God tearing down the walls that so conveniently protected my heart. Oh, but how I wanted to keep the wall safely in place. I clearly heard God tell me, “Marlene, tear down that wall! Let your husband in. Believe he has changed and is a new creation.”

“I don’t want to! But, oh, Lord, make me like Mary! Obedient, full of grace, faithful, innocent, strong, unashamed, thoughtful, accepting of what lies ahead, and motivated by Your love (not her feelings and fears). Make me willing, Lord—open-hearted and open-handed to whatever You ask—because You are holy, loving, and faithful.” This was my prayer, and God answered. (After I went to counseling!)

We see many of Mary’s attributes in this first chapter of Luke, but verse 37 stood out to me: “For nothing will be impossible with God”  (NASB). After telling Mary that her aged cousin, Elizabeth, was also with child, the angel had made this declaration that nothing is impossible with God! He graciously gave Mary hope that she would not be alone—hope that someone she loved and considered a mentor would understand and believe her story of Jesus’ conception. After the encounter with the angel, Mary immediately went to visit her cousin—not only to share the angel’s message and the promises of God—but to celebrate the miracle of Elizabeth’s extraordinary pregnancy as well.

Another verse that convicted me was Luke 1:38a: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”  (NASB 1995). Mary’s response was so definite and charged with humility and wonder. Our teenage Mary readily surrendered to God’s will, more so than Moses did at 80! Perhaps it was the lack of pessimism that can set in with age, or maybe God blessed her with great faith. Either way, it was done. Thus, this poor girl of no worldly importance was chosen to carry in her womb the Son of God.

But Mary was not just a poor Jewish girl. She was respectful, teachable, faithful, willing, loving, and devoted to God—a woman after God’s own heart. Even in the face of shameful accusation, she remained true. Yes, Mary lived with the cloud of infidelity or fornication over her head all her days. How do I know? In John 8:41, the religious leaders accuse Jesus of being illegitimate. Here it is in context:

“Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.”
“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.
—John 8:39-42 NIV

Mary was blessed with the privilege of becoming the mother of Jesus because she was willing, faith-filled, and loved God. She believed God wholeheartedly and obeyed without arguing about the fallout or asking God to wait until she was married. (These are a couple of arguments I would have offered at the time had it been me!) Again, I pray, O Lord, make me, make us all, like Mary!

Abba Father, this Christmas, as I meditate on the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, give me a deeper understanding of Mary. Create in me a heart of loving humility and grace to receive anything You see fit to conceive. Amen.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and
in peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NJKV)

Marlene McKenna

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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