Jesus, Priceless Treasure of My Heart

My Bible heroines are the two "Marys. Both Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary, Lazurus' sister, are such inspirations to me, but I have a special place in my heart of honor for the mother of our Savior. In a December Sunday message, our pastor was speaking on the astonishing announcement by Gabriel and the miracle of the virgin conception. As I once again read over the conversation between Mary and Gabriel, I was impressed with the beauty of truth lived out in Mary that the Lord had been showing me. The necessity of making and keeping Jesus as #1 in my life. 

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city in Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus...Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee...For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word..." 

Luke 1: 26-31,34-35a, 37-38

As I sat in church reading this passage, I saw the reason Mary was able to have such faith while facing such seemingly impossible directions. God was #1 for Mary. She was looking to Him alone for her identity, needs, love, and satisfaction. She was able to step forward into the unknown of what God was asking of her because she trusted in Him alone. As I have gotten older and as a single young lady myself, my respect has grown so much for Mary being placed in such a challenging position. She must have realized the extent of what was going to be required of her emotionally and mentally as she faced the questions, stares, gossip, criticism, and loss of relationships she would undergo as soon as her condition became apparent. Despite all this, her response was full surrender to her God. 

I am challenged in my daily life of what my response is to my Heavenly Father daily directions for me. Do I respond with surrendered, loving obedience, out of a heart fully trusting my Jesus? Or is my obedience covered in doubts and fears? When do I desire to change God's directions to fit my own plan?

I want Jesus first, Jesus only. I desire my heart to be completely honed in with Jesus, nothing wavering me, no doubts belying my way, and for me to completely satisfied with the One who only can. I desire to say along with Mary, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" and then to walk in that prayer daily.

"A surrendered mind is not one which is no longer in operation. It is, rather, a mind freed from rebellion and opposition. To be Christ's captive is to be perfectly free." ~ E. Elliot