Do you believe in destiny?
According to the Bible, there is a plan in place for all of our lives. From the point of conception to the time of death, our lives are shaped by unique patterns of decisions and experiences, as well as relational interactions. Based upon the divine combination of these three entities, our Heavenly Father orchestrates our course, making sure that our lives match up with our assignments.
For some, God’s method of task allocation, might seem, a bit, odd. Rather than choosing the elect or prominent people of society, He often gravitates toward the opposite end of the spectrum. From Genesis to Revelations, God managed to accomplish extraordinary things through people who, from the outward appearance seemed to be quite ordinary.
As a resident of Nazareth, there was nothing noticeably significant about Mary. She was a small girl from a small town who had descended from a lineage of meager means. Her life didn’t shine and her future didn’t glimmer. Let’s face it, this virgin girl was headed down a road of never ending mediocrity. Yet, at pivotal stage in her life, she had a life-changing experience with God. Through one single angelic encounter, she learned that she was “highly favoured” and “blessed among women (Luke 1:28).” Although, she was young and innocent and of a lowly class, she had managed to be chosen by God.
While the message from the angel was remarkable, it was Mary’s response to the revelation that was truly profound. Sitting on the brim of social rejection and communal ostracism, Mary considered not herself, but, readily, accepted the task. She responded to the angel in the affirmative and availed herself to be used by God.
Like Mary, we, too, have a date with destiny. Somewhere in the horizon…somewhere between the Heavens, we have an angel standing wait with a message that he needs to deliver. We can’t afford to ponder upon his arrival or make useless attempts to figure things out. Setting the course is not our responsibility. Our job is to avail ourselves unto Him, presenting Him with a life that can be used.
Whether the task is great or small, I believe that in each of the opportunities that we have to work for God, we should accept the task with a heart of gladness and respond to Him in like manner as our Saviour’s mother, Mary, saying, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”