Luke 1:38
In the last part of today’s reading, it reads,
For us too what matters is that we allow God to be God and to do things his way, even if with Mary we thereby risk losing our good name.
So Mary was submissive to God by risking her reputation.....
First, I started to think about what I would have done in that situation. Hmm. So God the Almighty sends his angel to me to give an order. What would you do in that situation? You may disagree with me on this (and I hope not), but I don’t think many of us would choose to disobey in that situation. Who in the right mind would reject God’s order especially when his angel is floating right in front? Of course, I would be terrified and MAY pass out in fear, but eventually, when I’m conscience again, I would surely obey. Wouldn’t most people say, “Yes Lord! I will do anything for you anytime!!!!” Then, what is the big deal of about Mary’s submission here? Wouldn’t most Christians submit to God’s order even if it means jeopardizing their own reputations? Then, what is the big deal here?
Then, I realized the real question was not just simply “would you submit?” but includes the word “how” in front. How would you submit? Let’s look at how Mary responded. Mary’s response was “I am the Lord’s servant.” I am the Lord’s servant…. I am the Lord’s servant…. I am the Lord’s servant….Here, she is acknowledging that God is her master. And that acknowledgement is followed by “May it be to me as you have said”. So she is basically saying, she is just a servant and has no say in God’s plan. She has no certainty of the future, but she was certain that God’s plan will be carried out. Is there any answer that shows more humility than this? Wow.
Lots of times, I say I am doing ‘this and that’ for God because I’m a Christian. I need to help out others for God, I need to give more offerings to God, I need to work harder for God, I need to do more quiet time for God, I need to stop sinning for God….and so on. Why ‘for God’? What does God possibly need from me? What does God, who is omnipotent, God of Universe, God who owns literally everything including my ability to think, ability to work, ability to make money, and even my faith, possibly need from me? What can I possibly offer to God? He owns EVERYTHING! It’s simple. He just simply wants me to surrender and submit. He just wants me to acknowledge that I am his servant. More often than not, I have an attitude of thinking that I am doing favors for God, and when I do nice things for others, I need to take the credit from God because I, myself who is ‘high’ in value, did something nice for someone. Therefore, I deserve some credit from God. That is certainly not the servant’s attitude. I can’t help but to sit here and ponder on how much things would have been different, if Adam and Eve had those servant’s attitudes and said, “Yes, Lord, you are our master. May it be to us as you have said.” Or even Lucifer before he rebelled against God. To me it seems like, God who owns ALL THINGS, wanted this from us since the beginning. Pure submission. Servant’s attitude. After all, Christ, the King of all Kings, the Son of Most High, was born thru a true servant to do what? Serve us all…
8 comments:
Thank you for this great relection, Jeetae. I can see that you have repented your sins and have committed to serve the church with the servant's heart. I will look forward to being served... I'm only kidding. haha. Although anyone's act of servanthood would be very precious and contagious. Whenever I come across this passage, I think the most important thing that I take from it is trusting God. I'm not saying this is different than what Jeetae has already pointed out, but I think trusting with faith is different than trusting with fear. This passage always reminds me to trust God even if the situation looks unfavorable to me.. because even God's 1% is much greater than my 1 gazillion %. :D
pastor James, can I go to your house now? ;D
For your information... I threatened Sungjoon that unless he writes a comment, I'll never invite him to my house again. Yes, Sungjoon, you can now come.
Posted by Pastor James
Jeetae, your post was awesome.
I feel the same way you do about serving and submission and what we might do if we were ever asked to by God. I agree with what you also said about "how" we serve. So many times, we do it with ourself at the center of all things.
Anyways, I also liked your xanga post.
I'm glad and thankful that what Jeetae has said helped wrap up the thoughts I've had while reflecting on today's topic. I realized that so far, I've been racking my brains trying to figure out "what" I can do to live for God. It's like trying to come up with a master plan or even a list of things I feel i ought to do in my life in little and in big ways. I realized today that while I'm thinking and struggling with the "to do's", I failed to recognize what God is ready to do or is already doing in my life. I have spent the rest of my day pondering what God is doing in my life now and what he wants to do. I thouhgt perhaps God will reveal it to me as He has revealed it to Mary (not necessarily through an angel)and that I will simply have to agree with Him as Mary has done- to be still and know He is God and believe that "nothing is impossible for Him". I've got some more pondering and listening to do but I'm encouraged with Jeetae's insight that it all starts with a servant attitude. I realized that even my ponderings are governed by my ideas and preconceived thoughts on what is good/bad. Certainly, Mary probably never dreamed that getting pregnant before she got married was a good way to "live for God". However, when it was revealed to her of God's plan, she was able to put aside all cultural, personal, religious standards and simply obey. I'm sure it was not easy and I'm sure she endured hardship of many facets but this is the kind of servant God chose.
After reading this I am again reminded of how 'me-centric' I am. Even in the very act of serving my God, it is oftentimes not about Him but about me which overwhelms me all the more that this mighty God could love such a selfish, wretched sinner like me unconditionally. Thanks for sharing this and moving me to once again repent and give thanks.
jeetae, this is one terrific blog. in it, you remind us once again that the most important truths in the christian faith are really the most simple. mary's humility and willingness to submit cuts us all to the heart. i'm certain that her humble servant attitude pleased God beyond measure. if we want joy in our christian life, it must start, continue and end with the greatest and most difficult of all christian virtues, humility.
Jeetae, I'm really encouraged by your post. Being honest with myself and sharing that with God is one of most difficult things I struggle with and reading your post helped challenge me today.
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