Do you believe?

Through His angel Gabriel, God announces a miracle and invites Mary to be a part of His great rescue plan. To join in the miracle, Mary had to surrender and that included embracing change: a change of plans, a change of heart, and even a physical change. 

“The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age – although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! For nothing will be impossible with God.” So Mary said, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:35-38 NET

Change is often what blocks our belief—we are more devoted to our ways and our plans and our dreams than we are to God Himself. With Mary, God’s miracle was to affect her spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically, so nothing but full surrender would be sufficient. Her willingness to change course and to join God in His working wrote her into God’s redemption story for all of creation. She had to believe she could trust God, His plans and His Word. Mary had to believe that despite the coming changes, God never changes. 

The same all powerful and always faithful God of the universe offers to change each of us through the power of His Holy Spirit living in us when we, like Mary, have a heart and life fully surrendered to Him. We must all decide, like Mary, if we will believe God and trust His plans and His Word. 

This Advent, the question for us all is again: do you believe?

Lord, work a miracle in us this Advent: change us to be more like Jesus as we celebrate His birth. Amen.