Luke 1:³⁸ “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.”

Please read Luke 1:26-55. We see from this portion of Scripture that God was looking for someone to use. God is still looking for someone to use. The Bible records that Mary was confused and disturbed. We sometimes react in fear at the thought of God using us. But He is telling us not to be frightened. Do not be afraid of God’s calling on your life. His call is to do you good and to wonderfully bless you. So when you avoid the call, you avoid the wonderful blessings of God.

Mary’s response is usually the natural response we all have when God calls us. We are usually overwhelmed. That fear of “how can this thing be” [how is it possible] is usually there. And this is the fear that God wants to address in our lives over the next few days. The word translated as confused and disturbed is the root word distaraso and it means to be shaking to your bone. When God lets you into His plan for your life, it can be very frightening. Many of us will respond like Mary did and it is not out of place. And it is usually because we think we do not know enough or gifted enough. I never thought that pastoring was in the plan for me because when I stand in front of people, I used to literarily shake. My knees used to wobble whenever I was called up to read in the English comprehension class in secondary school.

But in spite of her fear, lack of education, peasant girl status, teenager status, God still used Mary. Why? It is because Mary trusted God despite her fears. Mary had every reason to be afraid but she did not let her fear control her. When we look at the reasons why Mary was afraid, interestingly, these are the same reasons why we get afraid. And if we give in to these fears, they can cripple us from becoming used of God.

The first fear that can hinder us is the fear of criticism. What will people think? Mary was a teenage girl already betrothed to Joseph and now she was to be pregnant. A pregnant teenager even in this time and age is a big deal. What will people say? Be mindful, because the fear of criticism can hinder us as it could have hindered Mary.

Prayer [song]: Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you. We have come with open hearts, Oh, let the ancient words impart. Amen!