This Christmas: I'm Rejoicing In God's Calling


I'm so glad you joined me for our next step in our walk through the Christmas story through the eyes of Luke. Last time we took a look at the miracle of Christmas, a virgin girl becoming pregnant with our Savior. Once again, the Word of God reminded us that nothing is impossible with God.

This morning as I read through Mary's song, my heart rejoiced with her in the great news of Gabriel, God's messenger. Although Mary only understood a portion of her calling at that time, she was humbled and honored to be considered so favored by God. Her response was immediate obedience and submission to the will of God.

However, I noticed something for the first time today in my reading of Mary's song. I'll highlight the lines that stood out for me. See if you can find the running theme that I discovered.
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." Luke 1:46-55
Said the blogger lady to her faithful readers: do you see what I see?

I see a God, who in His most merciful, most strategic move towards the redemption of mankind still speaks words of justice in the world. Mary speaks of God's judgment of the proud, the rulers and the rich, no doubt those who had become rich, proud rulers through the oppression of others less fortunate. She also speaks of God's compassion towards the humble and the hungry. And she praises Him for being "mindful of the humble state of his servant." She rejoices that He has chosen a nobody, in the world's eyes, to such a noble and significant calling.

So today I ask, what has God called you to? I may not have a specific answer for you, but I can assure you of a few causes He's asked all of His children to work towards. Every believer is called to defend the poor, the fatherless and the disenfranchised. We are all called to care for the hungry and the destitute. And we're all called to care for widows and orphans.

Our calling may not be as vital to the entire world as Mary's was. We may not be called to carry the Savior of the world in our womb for nine months. We may not be called to rear the God-Man through His childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. We may not be called to watch Him hang on a cross for the sins of the whole world, powerless to save our sinless, innocent baby boy.

No, we won't be called to the magnificent calling of Mary, the mother of our Lord. But we have been called to represent Christ to the world. We have been called to tell others about Him. We have been called to live a pure life in a dark and perverse world. And we have been called to fight for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Are you rejoicing in your calling today? Do you know your calling today? I bet He can hardly wait to tell you. I'm sure He's wanting to hear your song of rejoicing too.

Rejoicing In My Calling,

Carla

Comments

  1. Denise J. HughesDecember 21, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    "Every believer is called to defend the poor, the fatherless and the disenfranchised. We are all called to care for the hungry and the destitute. And we're all called to care for widows and orphans."

    Yes. Yes. Yes. Mary's Magnificat is full of OT references, full of God's truth. We are to care for the fatherless, the poor, and the marginalized.

    And, yes, Mary's calling may have been to give birth to the Savior, but all of us are called to something.

    Beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. carlaahendricksDecember 21, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thank you D.J. So glad you've been blessed by my Christmas series as I have been blessed by yours. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. PaulaDecember 22, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  4. PaulaDecember 22, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    BTW, I have a holiday devotional releasing the 24th and 25th at: http://wordservewatercooler.com/

    ReplyDelete

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