Tip: We can learn a lot from the Virgin Mary this Christmas!
Today is Christmas around the world. It is a special holiday for those of the Christian faith. It is the day the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Regardless of what you think or believe about Jesus, no one can deny this holiday celebration has been recognized throughout hundreds of years of history as a very special day. Millions of people around the world will celebrate this day with family and friends. Presents will be given and received and a lot of good food will be prepared and eaten and eaten!
In this Tip I would like to call your attention to one specific aspect of the entire event leading up to the birth of Jesus, as it relates to his mother, Mary.
Early on, we are told in the story that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she had found favor with God and was going to give birth to the savior of the world and was to name him Jesus. (You can read the entire account in the Bible in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1.) Mary was a little puzzled about all of this because she was a virgin and had never been with a man. She asked the angel, “How can this be?” Gabriel told her that the power of God would overshadow her and what would be conceived inside of her womb would be called the son of God. She would eventually give birth to someone and be part of an event that was bigger and grander than anything that had ever happened in the history of the world!
Then Gabriel made an incredible statement, “For with God nothing is impossible!” Mary replied to the angel, “May it be unto me according to your word.” Then Gabriel departed from her presence. In essence Mary said the most important thing anyone could ever say in his or her entire lifetime, namely, “I am not sure how everything is going to work out, and I am not sure I have all of the skills to handle this situation, but if God wants to work in my life, even if it makes absolutely no sense to me at the present moment, I am all in!”
We do not know all of the specific details as to how Mary explained this story to her own father and mother, nor to her engaged husband, Joseph. We can only imagine what they thought or talked about when they heard the story about the visit from an angel. If I had been there I probably would have thought, “Sure, that makes a lot of sense; sounds right to me; virgins give birth all the time! Right!”
Mary was probably a young lady, perhaps still in her teenage years, when all of this took place. It is a great story, but it also generates a lot of doubt regarding the details as to how all of this happened. The word of the angel Gabriel pretty much covered the details when he said, “For with God nothing is impossible!” What a beautiful and true concept!
Now here is one personal application of how all of this relates to you: have you ever had an idea or a concept “birthed” in you that was somewhat unexplainable? Are you “pregnant” with a dream or vision or concept about your own destiny in this life? Have you ever thought about the purpose of your life or the real meaning of your existence? I mean, what are you all about? Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? The people I have met who are making the biggest impact in this world have a sense of destiny about their life. Every day is important. Every day counts. They are looking for the unexpected and they find it; or maybe I should say it finds them!
I promise you all of this is much bigger than you alone. You are part of a divine plan. You may not be fully aware of it all yet, but if you will just open up your heart like Mary did and say, “I am not sure how everything is going to work out, and I am not sure I have all of the skills to handle this situation, but if God wants to work in my life, even if it makes absolutely no sense to me at the present moment, I am all in!”
Granted, having a visit from an angel and giving a miraculous birth to the savior of mankind is not quite the same thing as having a burning dream or desire fulfilled in your own heart. But there are some similarities, especially when it comes to the fact you are seeking help from a higher power greater than yourself to help you find the purpose for your own existence. You matter, too!
Only you have the power to demonstrate faith like that and only you will be rewarded for it. You must believe that you are a special part of God’s plan for this world. Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a way you have never known in the past. This might be scary, but it pays rich dividends.
I have watched this unfold in my own life for many, many years. I am not smart enough to plan or pull off all of the blessings I have received in my life and continue to receive. However, I can trace all of it back to this one concept, namely the time I prayed, “Dear God, I am not sure how everything is going to work out, and I am not sure I have all of the skills to handle this situation, but if you want to work in my life, even if it makes absolutely no sense to me at the present moment, I am all in!”
Be open to ask, seek and receive the good things God has in store for you. It will be the best Christmas gift you have ever received.
I do not have a corner on this market. You can be included, too. I promise!
Merry Christmas!
Tip: We can learn a lot from the Virgin Mary this Christmas!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
