I guess I got a little ticked the other day when on Facebook I saw an article (which I did NOT read!) that was saying God was a woman abuser because He did not get Mary’s OK, did not get her permission, to impregnate her.

HELLO!!!

Perhaps that person has never read Luke’s gospel!  When the angel appeared to Mary and announced to her that she had been chosen by God, Mary’s response was “…let it be to me according to your word.”  In my understanding that is a resounding “YES, LORD!”

Let’s back up … God is all knowing.  I believe He had prepared Mary for this encounter.  I don’t believe God was up in heaven wearing out a path in the flowers, wringing His hands and thinking, “Oh, who am I going to choose?  Who would be willing?  Who has a clean record? Who has a pure heart? Oh me, oh my … what am I going to do?”

No, I think (Connie speaking here) that Mary had a heart after God.  I think that as her brothers (my scenario) were studying with the rabbi, as her daddy with other fathers were perhaps discussing scripture over the dinner table that Mary had her antennas up, was listening and absorbing all she could of the scriptures and the Promised Messiah.  I think she was LOOKING for Him.  Maybe she was a little like a later Mary who just wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen rather than helping in the kitchen!

God was not going to just willy-nilly pick any young girl to mother His only Son!  No, He chose Mary.  Luke 1:28 says she was “favored” and that the
“Lord is with you”.  Verse 30, “you have found favor with God”.  

The angel then goes on to tell her she would “conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High …”

Mary’s only concern and question was “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

The angel responded, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God.”

Now here’s Mary’s chance!  She could have said, “No way!  That is just impossible!  Even if this could happen Joseph won’t believe me! I will be put to death! Perchance if I should say, “go ahead, God!”  I don’t know that  I want to live a lifetime of people whispering behind my back.  Just think of the gossip!  NO ONE will believe that I was a virgin … I will be ostracized by my family”, etc.

Did Mary respond that way?  NO!  As stated above she said, “be it unto me!”  She gave permission!  She was vulnerable!  Look at the definition of vulnerability …  capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt; open to moral attack, criticism.

She was willing to be ridiculed, criticized, laughed at, rejected and even stoned.

Which brings me to my additional point here … how vulnerable am I?  How vulnerable are you?

What if God asked you to do something that you thought was impossible?  Maybe it isn’t even something impossible but too far fetched!  Maybe you feel incapable or inadequate.  Perhaps you think He is asking just a little too much of you.  Your family and friends might think you a bit too daring or silly.  Are you willing to face prejudice, rejection or even failure?  Are you willing to be laughed at, gossiped about or criticized?

What is He asking of you?  What is He asking of me?

Do I/you have the gumption to be totally vulnerable?