Mary: A God-Sized Life

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

The idea was proposed to me during a sermon by my pastor that we should ask God to do something God-sized in and through our lives. Well, this idea had never occurred to me. My first thought was, "Sounds scary...". Then I began to really ponder this concept and I knew I wasn't worthy to be used in such a way. I was honest with God and poured out my concerns and He patiently brought me to a place of surrender. I told Him I would give Him all the glory if He would do something God-sized in my life. Soon after, I received some unexpected news that would mean some changes for me. It wasn't something I would have chosen, but God assured me that it was part of the God-sized work I surrendered for. I guess you could say this required a second level of surrender. To give up my 'me-sized' plans for His plans.
In hopeful anticipation, I wait, believing God will complete the work He has started. One source of hope I draw from is the example of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The invitation:
At some point, Mary invited God to do something God-sized in her life. The Scripture doesn't give specifics on this, but we know that God doesn't take over what hasn't been offered to Him.

The surrender:
Mary was a teenage girl who was anticipating her upcoming wedding. She was an ordinary girl with dreams and plans which were all changed by some unexpected news. We see in Luke, chapter one, that Mary's first reaction was fear when she learned she would be the mother of God's son. Then there was confusion...how can this be? She had never been with a man...what would people say. What would Joseph say? Could this be from God?!? You and I would have chosen a well established husband and wife with a decent home and income...maybe even other children so that they were experienced parents. But God's ways aren't our ways! He chooses to use ordinary people who are surrendered. In verse 38, we see Mary come to another level of surrender..."Behold the handmaid of The Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word." She said, Have thine own way Lord!

The glory:
Then we go look down at verse forty-nine of Luke 1, and there we see the real secret of the God-sized life. Mary gives all the glory to God! She says, "For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name!" This was possibly the hardest part for me initially because, as I have mentioned in previous entries, I have struggled greatly with insecurities and the need for approval. I can say today that my greatest joy is to bring glory to my Savior alone! It gives my whole life purpose...Holy is His name!!!

Mary had the Lord Himself living inside of her and God used her to bring forth the Word incarnate to the world. I'm certain, like any expectant mother, Mary nurtured that life inside her making sure to create a healthy dwelling place. Those of us who have received Christ as Savior also have Him living inside of us and God desires to use us in much the same way He used Mary...to bring His living Word to a lost and dying world.
In verse 28, the angel told Mary she was 'highly favored'. This is the same thing that is being said to all believers in Ephesians 1:6, "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted (favored) in the beloved." Jesus did the work to make us worthy and God desires to do a God-sized work in the life of every believer if we will ask, surrender, and give Him all the glory.
Mary was willing for her life to be changed in order that the lives of so many others may be changed...what better purpose could we have in 2013?