December 03, 2019

A Mary's Yes by Lynn J Simpson






I walk on the carved trail lined with evergreen trees, shadows painting images that darken spots on the path and I play a game. Like a child avoiding the cracks on a sidewalk, I skip into the light, skirting the shadows.

A time comes though, when darkened areas only remain, the path overshadowed from an easterly sun dipping low in the sky.  It’s not in my control, the rising and setting sun, the beginning of day and the falling light into night.

Enveloped in the shadows, my footfalls fall now evenly on the trail.

And I think of Mary, the mother chosen by God to birth His Son. When she, this young virgin, questioned the angel Gabriel on how she could conceive a son, he assured her with these words:

“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:35

And Mary responded by allowing herself to be fully overshadowed, stepping into obedience through her devotion to the Lord to the disregard of her own interests.

“And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke1:38

Oh, what trust Mary had to allow God to overshadow her completely! Her future of marrying Joseph, setting up house, having a family in her community were turned over to the Lord. She risked being shunned by her community, being rejected by Joseph, and possibly living in poverty. Yet, as a bondslave to the Lord, she gave herself completely over to be used to advance His kingdom among men.

Have I ever trusted like Mary, letting God overshadow me, outweigh my own interests and plans? Or is my heart contrite, leaning into my own self-sufficiency and pride so I think I have control of my future?

Mary leaned into the will of God. And God took care of her. Her future did include marrying Joseph, having a family, continuing close ties with her community. Yes, there was also sorrow and pondering in her heart—life challenges. For none of us, since the fall of Adam and Eve, are without our human experience trials.

I see the end of the trail in the near distance, a few dozen steps away. The path opens wide where I know a bridge crossing transfers me over a mountain river onto a wooden boardwalk that ends where I began.

I trust these mountain trails carved between and enveloped with evergreen trees. Do I trust the Lord as Mary did? How am I a bondslave to the One who made us, loves us, is endlessly merciful, and promises to sustain us? 

Do I allow God to envelope me in His shadow?

As Christmas approaches, may we challenge ourselves to trust and be faithful to the Lord as Mary did when the angel appeared. Like Mary, let’s answer “yes” as His bondslaves, honouring the One who made us by being obedient to His calling of advancing His kingdom as Jesus taught us.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13

Have a Christ-filled Christmas season!

 You can read more of Lynn's musings on faith and life at Lynn J Simpson


15 comments:

  1. Thanks, Lynn for your beautiful meditation and your metaphor of light and shadows. "Mary leaned into the will of God. And God took care of her" is a good reminder for me to do the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Every year I learn more about Mary's 'yes' to God! I'm glad it was good reminder to you too.

      Delete
  2. You've drawn such a lovely word picture for us in this post. God bless you and yours this Christmas season.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the story of the Virgin Mary and her joyful "yes" not knowing what all lay ahead. Thank you for this story and your words that encourage us to walk willingly in obedience to God.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A joyful yes...so well described Mary. I'm glad you were encouraged, too, by Mary's response!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Being "overshadowed by God," is such a lovely and fearsome thought, all at the same time. We cannot know the depth of what it will mean, and so there is a holy fear involved. But, Oh, may I join with you, and with Mary, and allow my Lord to have His way with me. Thank you, Lynn, for these beautifu reflections.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for this thought provoking post to begin the countdown to Christmas. Such good questions to ask myself as I reflect on what you wrote and on Mary's response to God.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad Mary's stories provoked good questions to ask, Carol, and draw us nearer to how God wants us to respond to Him!

      Delete
  7. Thank you, Lynn, for this spirit-awakening message for Advent or for any day of the year. I appreciate every bit of your blog, as I picture you walking amid the shadows of the trees along your path. The following paragraph in particular speaks to me: "Have I ever trusted like Mary, letting God overshadow me, outweigh my own interests and plans? Or is my heart contrite, leaning into my own self-sufficiency and pride so I think I have control of my future?”

    Your blog is another way God is reminding me to Trust in Him with all my heart and lean not unto my own limited understanding. May we like Mary submit to Him, so that he can make our paths and our plans turn out the way He would have them turn out. (Reference to Proverbs 3:5-6)

    Blessings to you and yours, this Advent and Christmas season, Lynn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merry Christmas to you as well Sharon! Trust is a word I have been pondering much lately. May we grow deeper in our daily trust with Him.

      Delete
  8. Thank-you for this thoughtful post ... the concept of being overshadowed by God ... has me thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Lynn. This line, "Do I allow God to envelope me in His shadow?" stopped me in my tracks. I had to take time to ponder this question and reflect on it. Wow, such a searching question. Thank you for your words, my friend.

    ReplyDelete


  10. You can't believe what i just got,… A loan of $ 60,000. I have been looking for a loan for the past 2years until i was referred to a legitimate lender. Though it was not that easy to approve my loan, as you know nothing good comes easy. But I got my loan within 4 hours i got my loan, and before i knew it, the loan was transferred to me. please friends, don't let any body deceive you and scam you for this is real. Contact them via Email: gaincreditloan1@gmail.com OR You can also whatsApp them at: at +31-635-250-311 (WhatsApp Only)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to join in the conversation. Our writers appreciate receiving your feedback on posts you have found helpful or meaningful in some way.