The Right Woman For The Job - Mary At The Annunciation

Luke 1:26-38

What are you capable of? Or maybe the question should be, what does God think you’re capable of?

We don’t know anything about who Mary was before the angel came to her to tell her she would carry the Son of God. We assume she already had great faith, because the angel tells her that she has found favor with God. Then we see that faith played out.

She didn’t say no. But she did ask how.

“But how can this happen?” Mary wondered. “I am a virgin.”

Mary figured that she lacked the requirements to be a mother—namely, relations with a man who would be the child’s father. She might have worried about other shortcomings as well. Could she handle the physical stress of pregnancy and childbirth? Would she be able to nurture and discipline the child properly—especially if he was the Son of God?

She was willing, but she wasn’t sure she was the right person for the job.

Are you familiar with that feeling? In our lives we see many tasks that need doing, but do we really have what it takes to accomplish them? Our spirit is often willing, but we’re just terribly aware of the weakness of the flesh.

Fortunately, when God chooses one of us for a job, he’s choosing the right person. He doesn’t leave us on our own to accomplish whatever it is he wants us to do. The angel explained to Mary that the Holy Spirit of God would make these things happen—and the same Spirit works in us, making up for our failings.

So don’t be so quick to say, “I don’t have what it takes” when you have an opportunity to do something for God. You have exactly what it takes: the Spirit of the living God working within you. Put aside your self-doubt and gather up your courage. Maybe you, too, can say, with Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38).

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”

Luke 1:30