Gosh so often in the day to day life I get so caught up in my to do list. Rushing through one thing because I have so many more things to do. Rushing through every moment, not at all enjoying any of them because I keep thinking of what’s next. This COVID-19 issue has slowed so many people down and allowed us to cut out the things in our lives that was truly just keeping us busy. In the slow down I have really come to realize how little I get down and into His Word. I am embarrassed to say that out loud. Embarrassed to say that some days I do my quick little devotional and have my conversation and prayer time, but don’t get into His Word. I hate to say anything political on this page but the way the world is going, sometimes I am fearful that if certain populations of people get into office, our religious freedom will be stripped away, that our Bibles won’t be readily available. That our places of worship and teaching will be closed…… That terrifies me! And so here I am trying to do a better job of hiding His Word in my heart.

I am so fortunate to be in a church with a group of women who have decided to have a facebook bible study group. We are doing this bible study called “What the Women Saw” by Sadie Robertson Huff. The premise of this study “Do women matter to the kingdom of God?” We are studying the lives of Mary, Martha, Mary Magdalene, and others. A quote from Sadie about the book ” you will learn from their faith and failures and be reminded that Jesus cared for and valued the women he was surrounded by. He equipped them, listened to them, walked with them, healed them, and empowered them. And he does the same for you now.”

Are you like me? Do you feel ordinary? Not enough? Too boring? Too sloppy? Not smart enough? Not pretty enough? Not organized enough?

Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary for you have found favour with the God

In biblical times, God found favor with Mary. Back then women were viewed as “less than” not as worthy as men. And here is Mary, who God chose Mary, chose her to carry the Savior of the world!

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord, let it be unto me according to your Word” and the angel departed from her.

Think about biblical times, about what would have happened if you became pregnant before you were married! You would have been judged, ostracized, maybe even killed. Mary’s entire life is hanging in the balance! She has absolutely no control over her circumstance, no control over how she will be looked at and judged. She probably was even concerned for her relationship with Joseph, maybe fearful that he would reject her and turn her away. And yet she said “let it be unto me according to your word”!!!! How I wish that I could say that I would say the same…… She knew that this would be costly, and yet she said its good Lord use me! She was obedient to His Call on her life. She said whatever you want God, use me.

2020 has been such a challenging year, so many things have seemed so absolutely ridiculous and out of control. I mean if I would have told you last november that our kids wouldn’t be ALLOWED to go to school, that gyms, stores, playgrounds, and everything you can imagine would be shut down, that you wouldn’t be allowed to go to church, to gather for graduations, weddings, births and funerals you would have thought I was crazy. And yet here we are, walking a path that has never been walked before. I want to be a Mary do you ? I want to say “yes God let it be unto me according to your Word” Are you being called into something that is uncomfortable or hard? Are you struggling, is there a still small voice telling you to do something and you just aren’t quite ready? If so, I encourage you, do as He says. He has great things planned for us. When we step out God can change the world with our obedience. Mary knew the love of God, she knew that He would see her through. She knew that this choice would be hard, but she knew that God would be with her through all of it, and now her obedience has shaped eternity.

As Jennie Allen said “we’ve got to realized that our choices, those impact our trust. But our trust will also impact our choices. Surrender is not a passive thing, it is one of the most difficult things we will ever do but that moment will come where you”ll say God let it be as you say or you’ll be passive and set down the very things that God’s putting in your life to change other peoples. Mary said yes and you guys it changed eternity”

As I follow this study I hope to gain the strength to stand up and do as He is asking! Whether it is witnessing to someone that I don’t know, praying for someone, calling someone who God lays on my heart. Whatever it is that God is calling you to do, know that He has ALREADY equipped you to do it, you just have to step out in Him. I don’t really know how to share this link to the study but if you are looking for something to encourage you in your obedience and faith. I highly recommend this study