From Ordinary To Miraculous

From Ordinary to Miraculous

Mary

Read: Luke 1:26-33

I scanned the brochure for the upcoming women’s conference with mixed feelings. Although I looked forward to the fellowship, encouragement, and inspiration, the lineup of speakers intimidated me. Reading about the successful recording artist, the former Miss America, and the internationally known Bible teacher made me feel so—ordinary. Oh well, I told myself, I guess I don’t have the kind of life that will ever get me into a brochure.

Outwardly, there was nothing special about a poor, ordinary young woman living in an obscure village, yet God chose Mary to be at the center of one of the greatest miracles of all time. The angel Gabriel’s visit on that seemingly ordinary day changed Mary’s life and the rest of the world. He told Mary that she would give birth to the Son of the Most High. Every Jewish woman dreamed of giving birth to the long-promised Messiah, but the sudden announcement startled and confused Mary. At first, she couldn’t grasp what Gabriel meant, but she knew this was no ordinary day.

At times, our lives may seem so mundane and inconsequential that we can’t believe God would ever use us for some great purpose. But God has plans for each of us to accomplish things with eternal value. He desires to use our lives in such miraculous ways that we can’t even imagine them.

Gabriel told Mary that she had “found favor with God.” That same wording is used in only one other place in the Bible. In Ephesians 1:6, Paul refers to God’s acceptance of believers through his gift of unearned favor (often translated as “grace”). If we know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then we are “favored” women. He has already done something miraculous in our lives, and his presence within us makes all our days extraordinary.

[Gabriel said,] “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Luke 1:28