“I am the Lord’s servant. May Your Word to me be fulfilled” (Lk 1:38)
Miss Mary was pregnant. Her romantic dreams were intercepted by her pregnancy. Was she excited about being pregnant by the Holy Spirit? To carry the Messiah in her womb as a virgin? She was. But she also realized that part of the game was persecution.
Even though the virgin birth was prophesied and expected, when it came to pass it was not distinguished from adultery. Very few people understood and encouraged her. The majority was against her. There were no fireworks, jubilance, garlanding, celebration or honour for the mother of the Messiah. Joseph also knew the long- awaited prophecy but could not accept it. She might have expected a great reception for her for the 2000-year old prophecy being fulfilled in her. She expected everybody to call her “blessed” (Lk 1:48). But nothing like that happened. She continued to be the poor
humble lady she was till the end of her life. May be the gospel writers interviewed her before writing the gospels, for details of Jesus’ birth. She might have read her name being written there. But her celebration was only after her death.
Submitting ourselves to the will of God or to say, “Lord, I am Your slave, I am at Your disposal,” may not be easy. It involves not just exaltation but enemies too; not just excitement but endurance too; not just harvest but tears too; not just happiness but harassment too.
When you abandon yourself in God’s arms, be prepared for anything. Be bold to go ahead in spite of all odds. Do not expect people to embrace you and cooperate with you. There may be stiff opposition and mockery. If you are absolutely sure of God’s will you must go ahead boldly. People may not honour you but God will honour you. You may not be a celebrity in this world but definitely on the other side of Jordan, you will have a roaring welcome.
Doubts may assail you in this earthly life. But have faith. You know who is leading you; you know who you are following. And that is enough. Jesus has called us to be fishers of men. Being a seafarer is risking your life everyday. You face the rough seas and the storms. You never become rich. It is not a lucrative calling (Mt 4:19). Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Cor 15:31). Welcome to the daily death, if you, like Mary, say, “Lord, I am at Your disposal.”
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
“I am the Lord’s servant. May Your Word to me be fulfilled” (Lk 1:38)
Miss Mary was pregnant. Her romantic dreams were intercepted by her pregnancy. Was she excited about being pregnant by the Holy Spirit? To carry the Messiah in her womb as a virgin? She was. But she also realized that part of the game was persecution.
Even though the virgin birth was prophesied and expected, when it came to pass it was not distinguished from adultery. Very few people understood and encouraged her. The majority was against her. There were no fireworks, jubilance, garlanding, celebration or honour for the mother of the Messiah. Joseph also knew the long- awaited prophecy but could not accept it. She might have expected a great reception for her for the 2000-year old prophecy being fulfilled in her. She expected everybody to call her “blessed” (Lk 1:48). But nothing like that happened. She continued to be the poor
humble lady she was till the end of her life. May be the gospel writers interviewed her before writing the gospels, for details of Jesus’ birth. She might have read her name being written there. But her celebration was only after her death.
Submitting ourselves to the will of God or to say, “Lord, I am Your slave, I am at Your disposal,” may not be easy. It involves not just exaltation but enemies too; not just excitement but endurance too; not just harvest but tears too; not just happiness but harassment too.
When you abandon yourself in God’s arms, be prepared for anything. Be bold to go ahead in spite of all odds. Do not expect people to embrace you and cooperate with you. There may be stiff opposition and mockery. If you are absolutely sure of God’s will you must go ahead boldly. People may not honour you but God will honour you. You may not be a celebrity in this world but definitely on the other side of Jordan, you will have a roaring welcome.
Doubts may assail you in this earthly life. But have faith. You know who is leading you; you know who you are following. And that is enough. Jesus has called us to be fishers of men. Being a seafarer is risking your life everyday. You face the rough seas and the storms. You never become rich. It is not a lucrative calling (Mt 4:19). Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Cor 15:31). Welcome to the daily death, if you, like Mary, say, “Lord, I am at Your disposal.”
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
