Day 24 - Unimaginable

Luke 1:35 (ESV) - And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

(READ LUKE 1)

When you think about unimaginable things that have happened, what comes to mind?The Twin Towers dissolving into mounds of dust and rubble? A young person getting an unexpected cancer diagnosis? An unexpected new opportunity? How do you react when you are faced with situations where you have no power or control?

Mary was a teenage girl greeted by an angel with unimaginable news of a divine intervention in her life. How might a young woman react at learning she was to be the mother of the Son of God?
Mary trusted God. She was ready to serve God even though it meant losing her reputation in her small hometown. She would be the subject of gossip wherever she went, but she was willing to put her dreams aside and forgo personal comfort to submit to God’s will. “I am the Lord’s Servant,” Mary answered, “May it be to me according to your word” (vs. 38).

Mary reached out to others for support and encouragement. She hurried to visit her trusted relatives who had also been visited by an angel from God. Elizabeth, who was well past child bearing years, was pregnant with the prophet, John, who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Through Elizabeth, God provided someone who could confirm Mary’s calling. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” (vs. 42).

Mary remembered God’s faithfulness. She belonged to the poor class, and, like others, was looking forward to the Messiah’s coming and the promise that the oppressed would be set free and injustices made right. She responded by singing of God’s faithfulness to her people, giving her confidence for the journey that was before her. “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (vs. 51, 52).

What has happened in your life that was unimaginable or might have made you afraid? Is your relationship with God deep enough to help you reimagine his plan for you? Have you built relationships that will carry you through the difficult times? Will you sing of God’s faithfulness as you walk this path?

PONDER:  How will your faithfulness to God shine through when you are faced with the unimaginable? 

REFLECTION OR DISCUSSION
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Is that your job today? Sometimes we make great plans for our lives that have absolutely nothing to do with what God has in store for us. God had something completely unimaginable planned for Mary. Her story shows us that God can use us to make a huge difference.
Read Jeremiah 29:11.  Over the next few days, pay attention to all of the jobs you see around you. Notice the cashier at the store, the truck driver, the garbage man, the teachers, etc. How might God be using these jobs to make a difference? Pray about how God might use you to make a difference.