Dec 07 2008
When Gabriel Appeared to Mary…
Have you ever tried to imagine what it was like when the angel Gabriel visited Mary?
Only recently I learned that because of Gabriel’s fateful words, Mary was an outcast in society from that moment on. Such a thought had never occurred to me before. Apparently the blessing cost her more than I ever imagined. From that day on the townspeople apparently looked at Mary as a woman of questionable morals and at Jesus as illegitmate, and life was not easy.
Sometimes God’s blessing can set us apart in some special way while at the same time alienating us from our fellow man–even others who call themselves Christians. And yet, any way we look at it, Mary was highly favored of God, anointed and given grace for each moment as it occurred. The same is true of those who love and serve Him today.
It’s interesting to note that the angel could’ve made things easier by also appearing to Joseph, to Mary’s family, and to her fellow citizens. What a difference that could’ve made. But just as in Mary’s case God doesn’t always make our narrow path the easiest road to walk. He does promise He will be there and bless us for our obedience.
If God chose to make our ways easy we would not need relationship with Him to get through. The point of this life is to draw near in fellowship with our incredible God, to obtain strength enough for each day, and to learn to trust Him, and to worship and glorify Him rather than going our own way.
When things are hard, I’m going to think of Mary. Scripture says she was blessed and highly favored. And so, my friends, are we…
Because of His great love,
Nancy
