Jenna Lindley

 

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

Reflection:

Once upon a time, a chicken and pig lived on a beautiful, bucolic farm. The farmer was good to them. He always made sure they were fed and had somewhere warm to sleep. He let them cock-a-doodle-doo in the morning and roam the pasture during the afternoon. The chicken and pig knew they were blessed, so they wanted to show the farmer their gratitude. One day the chicken strutted towards the pig and said, “I have a great idea for something we can do for the farmer! Would you like to help?” The pig, of course intrigued, asked what the chicken proposed. The chicken knew how much the farmer enjoyed a good, hearty breakfast; but also knew how little time the farmer had to make one. So, he suggested making breakfast for the farmer. The chicken replied, “how about bacon and eggs?” The pig, mindful of what this implied, said, “that’s fine, but while you’re making a contribution, I’m making a real commitment!”

When the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary, he foretells the immaculate conception and the birth of the Messiah. He doesn’t give much detail as to what exactly will pass. She’s not specifically told she will have to watch her son die after being beaten and tortured. Nor has she been told that her son will be resurrected. Mary is not given all of the details, and yet, she consents and makes a commitment to God. She proclaims to be a servant of the Lord and asks for God’s will to be done. Her sacrifice involves giving her entire life to birthing, raising and supporting the Messiah—a commitment that would threaten her life as an unwed woman. 

Commitment involves sacrifice. People get married because they fall in love. They have children to build a legacy. They buy houses to create a home. Commitments can start off exciting, but the pink cloud often fades, and the truth quickly settles in… Marriage involves compromise, parenting requires constantly putting someone else before yourself, and homeownership is a huge responsibility. 

Being a Christian is making a deep commitment to God, pledging God’s will and not our own. Sometimes we balk; we fall short of the promises we’ve made. We are not perfect; but, if we renew our commitment to Christ each morning, we remain anchored no matter how big the waves or strong the winds. We can stay true to ourselves and live in a way that leads to everlasting life.

 

Prayer*:

I am no longer my own, but yours.

Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,

Praised for you or criticized for you.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.

And now, O wonderful and holy God,

Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,

you are mine, and I am yours.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

Let it also be made in heaven. Amen.

 

*Covenant Prayer by John Wesley