"Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God"
Luke 1: 30
Luke 1: 30
What does favour look like to you?
That was the question that popped into my heart years ago while I studied this scripture.
Interestingly, the Holy Spirit asked me this same question just the other night as I tabled a matter before him, "Is this it? Is this what you promised? Because it sure does not look like it!" (I was expecting some pazazz y'all!)
Like a rewind, He took me back to this particular question and I went silent. It was indeed a humbling moment. I have not stopped mulling over that question since then, and trust me it has revealed a lot of selfishness I have attached to my expectations of God's promises. In my excitement as I anticipated this promise, I had knowingly and/or unknowingly made it all about myself.
Who knows? you too might actually have something to mull over after reading this.
What does favour look like to you?
If you were in Mary's shoes and an Angel said the same words to you, exactly the way it was said unto Mary, what would your expectations be?
Pregnant by none other but the HOLY SPIRIT! To bear a son that would be GREAT, the SON OF THE HIGHEST, who would TAKE OVER the THRONE of his father David, and who would also later REIGN over the house of Jacob FOREVER.
How would you imagine your life from that moment?
I don't know about you, but boy, what better life I would imagine to have! Carrying the child of the Holy Spirit? I laugh at myself typing this as I imagine different scenarios filled with so much class, extravagance, and royal privileges, none of which Mary had.
It did not look like favour when Joseph almost put her away because of the pregnancy. It did not look like she was favoured when she gave birth to her royal baby in a manger of all places. The whole situation looked rather unfortunate and unpleasant if we are being honest.
Yet she was indeed favoured.
Yet she was indeed favoured.
The favour was not in her circumstances but what she would birth in, through and despite those circumstances that surrounded her.
This revelation has reminded me yet again that I need to change my perspective.
Imagine if she had made it all about herself. Oh, how miserable Mary would have been if she had received the news of the Angel with selfish expectations in mind. As things progressed she would have undoubtedly felt duped by the Angel and despised her reality, thereby rubbing herself of the joy of indeed being favoured.
This revelation has reminded me yet again that I need to change my perspective.
Imagine if she had made it all about herself. Oh, how miserable Mary would have been if she had received the news of the Angel with selfish expectations in mind. As things progressed she would have undoubtedly felt duped by the Angel and despised her reality, thereby rubbing herself of the joy of indeed being favoured.
Sometimes your current circumstances may not mirror your expectations of the promise, but don't be too quick to despise it. Why? because God's promises fulfilled has never and will never be found to be underwhelming.
So, before you give it up, before you toss the gift back to the giver, remember Mary and trust that the Lord you serve will not mess you up. He will never set you up to be disappointed, and if you are disappointed while walking in obedience? Maybe it is time to ask yourself the big question.
What does favour look like to you?
That could be a good time to examine your heart for traces of selfishness preventing you from enjoying the promise.
So, before you give it up, before you toss the gift back to the giver, remember Mary and trust that the Lord you serve will not mess you up. He will never set you up to be disappointed, and if you are disappointed while walking in obedience? Maybe it is time to ask yourself the big question.
What does favour look like to you?
That could be a good time to examine your heart for traces of selfishness preventing you from enjoying the promise.
Whatever it is. It could be a job, a certain assignment/calling, relationship, etc. When the journey gets rough, remember who brought you into that path in the first place. Remember what He said to you before you started, and then, take off what I call the 'ME glasses' and look through the eyes of faith and enlightenment. For truly, when the promise is unveiled, and His glory revealed, you will indeed be called Favoured of the Lord.
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Okay, that is all for now. Talk later fellow Bloomers! Jesus loves you!
Related Scriptures:
Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 10:36, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Isaiah 55:8, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:9, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 25:2, Psalms 37:4, Luke 9:23, Proverbs 3:5-6
Oh, and we are on Instagram as well! Kindly click on the Instagram icon on the 'Follow Us' corner and click on the follow button to stay updated and connected through the week.
Okay, that is all for now. Talk later fellow Bloomers! Jesus loves you!
Related Scriptures:
Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 10:36, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Isaiah 55:8, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:9, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 25:2, Psalms 37:4, Luke 9:23, Proverbs 3:5-6
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