by Kala Loptien

How Will This Be?

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We’ve been reading and analyzing Mary in our house over the last few weeks. Our daughter was handed an envelope at church one morning with her part in the Christmas program. She opened it and clutched her heart. I watched as her expression shifted quickly from utter excitement to confusion; and finally to concern. “But why did they pick me? How will I be able to be Mary?” Oh, what sweet, innocent and loaded questions she posed, as it appeared she was attempting to grasp the gravity of this role.

I started thinking more about Mary. On a not-so-random day in the sixth month, Gabriel confronts her with a life-changing, earth-shattering, eternity-centered appointment from the Lord. She’s stunned and confused, initially — trying to discern what it all would mean and how it could be. I would imagine she went through a range of emotions, pondering as the weeks turned to months.

Let’s fast forward a bit to our lifetime. While we may not receive messages via visible angels, prophets or burning bushes, God continues to communicate with us as His chosen people.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…”
John 15:16 English Standard Version

Whether through His Word, His Holy Spirit or His Church, He calls us to hear, to trust and to obey. If you are like me, then your faith journey and path in life probably look nothing like you would’ve written. There have been moments where we are stunned and perplexed, asking the questions: Why me? Or, how will this be? And yet, we know in our hearts that His plan truly is for our good. He has promised us hope and a future because of that baby boy, conceived and born Holy. From His first breath of life on that star-filled night, to His final breath on the cross, His appointment was/is flawless.

May our response as chosen people, carrying out the Great Commission in our lifetime be just as Mary said,

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38 ESV

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