Dec. 9, 2012

Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. – Luke 1:38

Mary’s maturity amazes me. She’s YOUNG, pregnant and her world has just been turned upside down. Her response? “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be.”

I don’t know about other folks, but when my world is upside down, seldom is my first response, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be.” Nope. My response tends be more wanting to scream! Or wanting to climb into my bed and never have to leave. Or call up someone and share how awful my day has been. I know this is not how I would have responded when I was 13- or 14-years old!

Listen again. “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be.”

What is Mary’s message to us this Advent? It’s more of a question. How can we be the Lord’s servant? Too often, we focus on what others will do for us rather than how we can be the Lord’s servant. God isn’t asking women today to give birth to the Messiah. What God does ask us is to take an extra plate of cookies to the lonely neighbor … and more. Being God’s servant might mean anonymously paying for a person’s groceries, covering someone’s electric bill or giving items through the giving tree rather than buying your spouse or parents a present. God doesn’t require men to be Joseph’s and take on the responsibility of being Jesus’ earthly father. What you can do is pay for the next person’s tank of gas at the gas station, graciously plow your neighbor’s snow or fix the person’s door that doesn’t quite shut right.

Imagine how these people … and you … will feel if we would just allow ourselves to be God’s servants. Give yourself a challenge to humbly serve one person every day between now and Christmas. See how this makes you feel and how it adjusts your attitude these next two weeks. Why should we do this? Can you answer like Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be.”

Almighty God – Mary give a huge gift to humanity when she agreed to be the Lord’s servant. She didn’t do it for recognition or money or notoriety. She did it for You, Lord God.  Help us discover one person everyday between now and Christmas that we can serve in your name. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne