Favor vs Mission

Luke 1:35 “The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” ~CSB

In this text, Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph. Joseph was God-fearing as was Mary. Because they were engaged, they had not participated in sexual relations as this was not done until after marriage. So, we see the dilemma Mary was in as the angel told her that she would soon conceive and give birth to a son. In her mind she could only see the ‘world view’ of the situation presented to her.

She wasn’t married yet. Her future husband, Joseph would become upset because he would know the baby was not his. And the talk of all the people around them, friends, family, neighbors, church folk, would be so negative and demeaning.

But the angel told her in verse 30, “…Do not be afraid…for you have found favor with God…” This meant that yes, sometimes the world around us may not understand, but those who come to know God and His love for us, can accept and receive what His will is for our lives…even if we can’t figure it out.

We may receive a direction God wants us to go in our lives. Instead of trying to figure out, ‘what’s in it for me…’ we should just embrace God’s will for us and walk in it. Being a child of God, we should not need an explanation from Him. Knowing He favors us should be sufficient.

Yes, He gave Mary an explanation through the angel, but we do not necessarily need one. It is when the mission is complete when we find His blessing to us in it. It is hard to receive God’s blessing from him, because we do not first believe in the mission He sends us on. When He first comes to us with direction, we should believe in His favor in us by choosing us for such a difficult task. A task He will bless many others through us. As well as blessing us at the same time.

We must first believe, no matter what it looks like to others around us. We must first believe, no matter if we think we may embarrass ourselves. We must first believe, regardless of our family or close friends telling us we should not, simply because they do not understand or believe.  Because just like Mary’s situation, if our close friends or family believe as they should, they will see God’s ‘will’ in what they can’t see in the mission. Just like Joseph did.

In Matthew chapter 1, verse 20-23. The angel spelled it out for Joseph and in verse 24, he woke up the next day and did his part in carrying out God’s plan with Mary. Which would turn out to be the greatest story ever told!

Believing in God, and His favor of us, is the first step. That will lead to embracing and believing in His will and mission for our lives. Even when we cannot see the end game. Even when we don’t know His plan, our belief will make us a strong and willing participant in His plan for this unpredictable world we live in today.

May God continue to bless you with the wisdom, strength, and determination you need to walk in Jesus’ name.

Amen

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