A Willing Servant  

From an Africa Study Bible application note:

Mary learned from the angel Gabriel that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Messiah. She was a young woman without significance or social status, born in an unimportant part of the world. But she had faith in God. She may not have been able to fully understand what the angel’s words would mean, but Mary considered herself God’s servant and was willing to do anything he asked. She consciously chose to be used in God’s plan. 

As a result, Mary had the privilege of knowing the Saviour as no one else did. Mary nursed Jesus and watched the young man learn in the synagogue and in the carpentry shop. She saw him interact with other people as a brother, a son, a neighbour, and a friend. Imagine what went through her mind and heart as she watched this child grow and pondered the prophecies about him (Luke 2:52). She urged him to start his ministry, then watched him face hostility and rejection. She was at the cross when he died. 

Mary’s example of faith and obedience is a powerful example to all followers of Jesus. When God speaks to you about serving him in a specific way, are you as willing as Mary was? Have you chosen to be “a living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1)? May we have faith and say like Mary, “May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38).

Today: 

Are you able to say, “I am the Lord’s servant” and surrender to do whatever he might ask you to do? Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you faith and obedience to follow wherever God leads.