Are You All In?

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.  – Luke 1:34-38

So imagine with me…an angel has appeared and announced to Mary, Congratulations! You are single and we know you are engaged to be married to Joseph but God has chosen you to give birth to His son.

How would you respond?

Mary asked a very obvious question…Ummm…I’m a virgin, how is this possible?

Good question Mary!  It would probably be the first of at least a hundred questions I would have.

The angel Gabriel went on to explain that she would not only be with child, but that child would be the Son of God.  Mind blown!

Gabriel doesn’t stop there, He tells Mary some more miraculous news about her relative Elizabeth who is now pregnant with her first little guy, even in her advanced age.  Elizabeth who had been labeled “barren” all these years is now six months along.  That’s a faith builder!

Gabriel was letting Mary know that God specializes in the impossible.  He understood what crazy faith it would take for Mary to embrace what he was telling her, so he shares with her an example of God’s ability to pull off the impossible.  Mary, He made the impossible happen for Elizabeth and He’s going to make the impossible happen in your life as well.  If God said it, He will do it.  If He planned it, it’s as good as done.

And the soon to be mother of Jesus responds in a way that both challenges and impresses me.  I’m here Lord, ready to serve in whatever way you have planned for me.  This young woman was all in, even with the unknown and the overwhelming. 

She believed that with God all things are possible, even crazy, mind bending, can’t wrap my mind around how this is going to work out circumstances.

How about you my friend?  Are you dealing with any situations that seem impossible?  Are you unsure of how it could ever work out? 

Well, Christmas is a GIANT reminder that God specializes in the impossible!  So, are you all in?