Fri., Dec. 2, 2016

 Luke 1:30-31: But the angel said, “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.”

If God was choosing the mother of Jesus today, who would he choose?

God’s choice over 2,000 years ago gives us great glimpses into who God deems as great servants. God didn’t choose someone from a well-known town, but rather the little village no one wanted to be from. God didn’t choose a girl from a wealthy or well-known family. No, God choose a simple peasant girl. God didn’t choose a woman who was married so the pregnancy could be less scandalous. No, God choose an unmarried, single woman who could have been stoned once local men discovered she was pregnant.

Based on this, who are likely candidates that God would choose to be the mother of the Messiah today? Would God choose an ivy-leagued educated young woman who has lots of hopes, dreams and aspirations? Would God choose the young lady who has a good job and a stable income? Or would God choose someone that most of us have never heard of or even acknowledge if we saw them?

Truthfully, God would most likely choose the last option.

Four years ago, I traveled with my friend Kristin to Argentina over Thanksgiving. While there, we left the capital city of Buenos Aires and traveled to Chocobuco. While in Chocobuco, we spent most of a day at a local orphanage. It is a place where kids lived without their parents until a stable living arrangement could be provided for them.

In the afternoon, we did crafts with the kids. They didn’t tire of doing the same, simple craft over and over. They asked if they could keep the sheets with only a couple stickers still on them so they could have something of their own. Maybe the most poignant part of the day was when I realized that one of the 14-or15-year-old girls at this orphanage would be exactly the kind of young lady God would choose to be Jesus’ mother. The young girl pictured with this post is exactly the kind of person I believe God would be looking for.

Sometimes I struggle with my seemingly lack of accomplishments in my life. It is easy to look at other people and think they have done more/accomplished more/made more impact than I have. Or maybe they have just been recognized more than I have. What God really wants from God’s servants is a humble heart that finds contentment in God and not the things in this world. I believe it was Mary’s heart and humbleness that singled her out from other potential Jewish teens who could be Jesus’ mother. I think God would be more likely to pick this girl from a Chocobuco orphanage than a Harvard dorm room.

What would we need to do in our lives to have a humble and discerning heart and spirit like Mary? God desires this of us. Not a wall filled with accolades or lots of name recognition. Just a humble servant willing to say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me according to your word.”

 A humble heart that loves you, Lord God. This is what separated Mary from other Jewish teens. May we yearn and strive to have a similar heart. Amen.

 Today’s item for Jesus’ birthday box: instant oatmeal.

Yesterday’s item for Jesus’ birthday box: toothbrush

 Blessings –

Dianne

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