Be It Unto Me

Be it unto me, according to your word. Those were words of surrender spoken by a young 13 or 14 year old girl over 2,000 years ago. Mary uttered those words after the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she was to be Jesus' mother. Now, before we get some vision in our head of how awesome and glorious that life would be - mother of the Savior of the world - let's stop and think about how difficult this calling would be for her.

First of all, consider the complications of Mary's new-found identity. Can you imagine having to tell your Mom and Dad the news that you were pregnant with God's Son? Can you imagine their response? Her parents probably thought she was crazy and that she was trying to cover up some disobedient behavior.

What about Mary's friends and peers? How do you think they responded to the news of her being unmarried and yet, pregnant? I'll tell you what. That news is a lot different today, than it was back then. In Jesus' day, being unmarried and pregnant was shunned. I'm pretty sure Mary was teased and ridiculed harshly for a long time...as was her Son.

Finally, think about Joseph. Unlike the other two scenarios, we know how he responded, don't we? Scripture says that when she told him, he didn't want to marry her. Humanly speaking, who could blame him? However, after a visit from the Angel Gabriel, he changed his tune.

I think we just fly past all those complications Mary had to endure when we think about her visit with the angel. Instead, we picture her life as being full of dignity and honor. In our mind's eye, it's only at the cross that we picture her as anything less than pleased with life. In reality though, Mary's new found identity, gave her very little dignity and honor - at least here on this earth.

With that in mind, let's look back at Mary's response to the angel. Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Be it unto me according to your word. Her response - she didn't flinch. She didn't complain about becoming an outcast in her hometown. She didn't ask the angel to tell God to wait until she had gotten married, so all of this wouldn't look so bad. No, in complete trust and with TOTAL surrender, Mary gave her life over to God to use as He desired, whether that meant a difficult road ahead or not.

Can you honestly say those words with Mary? I'll admit I have a difficult time saying them, myself. Instead, my phrase sounds something life this - Be it unto me, Lord, according to Your Word, as long as it makes me happy and keeps me comfortable.

I hope I'm the only one who thinks stuff like that, but if I'm not, let's make a deal. This year for Christmas, let's give Jesus a gift - the gift of a trusting, believing, surrendered heart. Let's make be it unto me, according to Your Word, the motto of our hearts, regardless of our happiness or comfort.

Be it unto me, Jesus. I trust that You are good. I trust that You love me. I trust You are doing what's best for me. I trust You are molding me into the image of Christ. I surrender, Jesus. I surrender.