Yesterday as I was praying I recall saying the words “God can you…..(insert request)”. I immediately felt the presence of God and the whisper “Meghan, why do you say CAN instead of WILL?” Well, I’m not really sure God. Why do you ask? I hadn’t ever thought about it. But, I kept pondering and pondering it. This morning I felt led to grab my copy of Stasi Eldredge’s book ‘Becoming Myself’. Now, I’ll admit that I’ve just gone through sections of this book because it hasn’t really grabbed my attention. I proceeded to flip to the chapter called “Becoming a Woman of Faith”. I started to read but never did I expect MY MIND TO BE BLOWN.
That’s one of the absolute best things about God isn’t it? He blows your mind when you least expect it.
I’ll just get right to it, because this post is going to be lengthy. If you are up for the reading, please go on! The passage I read about focused on Mary (the mother of Jesus), Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth.
Mary was with child when she was very young. She was a virgin. She was engaged. She was no doubt gossiped about, laughed at and most likely thought to be the town crazy. Oh, and not only was she pregnant but she was pregnant with the SON OF GOD.
You’re probably wondering how Mary came to know the news that she was going to have this child. Well, nobody sent her an e-mail, or texted her, or even messaged her on Facebook but a pretty neat angel showed up to let her know the news.
How did Mary responded to God? Let’s read:
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
Now, let’s check out Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story. Zechariah was old man. His wife Elizabeth was old, too. Ya know, like old.--think gray hair, hoverounds and dentures. That old. God told them they were going to have a son in their old age. How do they respond? Read again to find out.
1 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Did you notice the difference in the questions they asked the angel?
Mary says, “How WILL”
Zechariah says, “How CAN”
Quite a difference, don’t you think?
Here is what Stasi Eldredge says..and this all just blew my mind.
“No matter how troubled Mary was, her heart had been cultivated by faith, and she responded to the news with composure, dignity, and faith. She did not fall on her face. She simply asked the angel a question: “How will this be...since I am a virgin?”
She asked with expectancy. “How WILL God do this, with me being a virgin and all?” It’s not a question of doubt. It is a question ROOTED IN FAITH. Mary immediately believed Gabriel. She did not laugh as Sarah did when she overheard the conversation between her husband and the Lord that she in her old age would bear a son. When confronted with the miraculous. Mary asked how WILL.
Unbeknownst to Mary, this same angel had visited her relative Zechariah and brought him astonishing, impossible news. When Gabriel told Zechariah that he and Elizabeth in their old age would have a son, an amazing son, Zechariah asked, “How CAN this be? Not how will; how can. The difference exposed his heart. He did not believe the angel, and it did not go well for him. Mary was blessed by the angel above all women. Zechariah was struck dumb.
Mary asked, “How will?” She knew that if God says something-anything-we can believe him. God is true. He is trustworthy. Jesus is a man of his Word.”
Now, let that settle all over you.
Soak it in.
Soak.it.in.
