Galatians 4:4-7 – “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
“Mama, when will He come? Will it be soon?” Mary’s wistful question echoed that of countless children through the ages. Ann soothed her daughter’s brow, kissed it softly, then tucked her beloved child into bed. “Soon dear, soon. Now go to sleep and dream sweet dreams.” As Mary drifted off to sleep, Ann whispered skyward and echoed her daughter’s question in the form of a prayer. “When will He come? Will it be soon?”
She ached for her daughter, born in a time of terrible oppression and cruelty. “When will the Messiah come? When will He deliver us and drive our taskmasters away? When will He take His triumphant place and lead Israel into victory over our enemies?”
Ana was diligent in ensuring young Mary knew the heroic tales of her people throughout the ages. As Mary grew from childhood into young womanhood, it was difficult to reconcile the drudgery of her daily existence living under the harsh rule of the Roman Empire with the ancient promises of redemption and deliverance.
As Mary learned the traditions, kosher laws, and practical skills she needed to run a Jewish household, she had little time to daydream of what life would have been if she lived in freedom. After all, what difference could Mary make in the world around her? Roman Empire or not, she had little influence in her society. As a female, she had no voice in the heady affairs of temple and government business. Although she felt the yoke of oppression on her shoulders as she saw the injustices inflicted on her people, she could do nothing. Culture and customs laid out her future: be a dutiful daughter first, then become a productive helpmate to her husband and a nurturing mother to her future children, just like any other Jewish girl of her day.
In an instant, the divine purposes of God collided with Mary’s life, altering its course. God would use her as the answer to her childish cry so many years ago. She would be the catalyst that would usher in the Messiah. She would give birth to the one who would break the yoke of bondage over humanity. Although she held little power of her own, she would be the vessel for the one who would reign triumphantly over death. God called her to nurture his promise into life. She could no longer claim she was of little consequence. God used an ordinary Jewish girl in an ordinary small town for His divine purposes.
Don’t be surprised if God invites you to work alongside him to be the answer to your prayers. You are not as insignificant as you think. Shake off the bondage of fatalism and walk into the living hope of the promises of God. The God who used a small town jewish girl from the sticks can use you as a vessel that will carry His power and grace into a world desperate for His touch.
Personal Application
Maybe society has dictated that you are powerless to make much of a positive difference. Perhaps circumstances have given you the impression you have little chance of being heard even if you were to speak. Maybe the cruel injustices of poverty, illness, and oppression have lulled you into a pessimistic view of life. Shake off the bondage of fatalism and walk into the living hope of the promises of God. The God who used a seemingly insignificant girl can use you as a vessel that will carry His power and grace into a world desperate for His touch.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 – “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
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All Bible verses attributed to the ESV version unless otherwise indicated.
Until Next Week,
©2009, ©2019 Katherine Walden
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