God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. Psalm 36:5-6 (The Message)

Mary…was planning an engagement. Her thoughts were on Joseph. She had secrets, dreams, and visions of her future created in her mind. Arrangements were being made for her betrothal to Joseph with her family, and in her village; and probably with her friends. But a visit from God…changed everything. An angel appeared before Mary with news that could change her forever. Her plans would be altered. Her dreams might disappear. Her life would be redirected. Her heart puzzled. Her questions perplexing.  Mary, an ordinary girl by village standards, had just been selected as the only one worthy. The perfect choice. God picked Mary. God picked Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Mary would be the virgin vessel. Mary had something that got God’s attention. Mary had her plans interrupted by the God of the universe. God stopped Mary’s planning because He had something much greater planned Himself. Mary was picked to ‘hold humanity’ in her tiny belly. The hope of redemption. The possibility of forgiveness. The bridge to salvation. Mary’s response was critical. Would her own plans interfere with God’s plan?  Gabriel crossed his fingers as he approached young Mary….

“The really wonderful moments of joy in this world are not the moments of self-satisfaction, but self-forgetfulness. –John Piper

We all know how this story unfolds. We know what happened when Gabriel met Mary. We know that she was curious at first asking only a humble clarification. And we know right away she did not think of herself as she responded to the angel, “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” –Luke 1:36(The Message) Mary was of Davidic descent…but she was not what people expected. She was a young beautiful girl of approximately eighteen. She came from a poor family…she was not wealthy in the world’s eyes, but she was of royal lineage. Do you love that about God?  He could have picked anyone. The richest young woman. The most financially secure. The wealthy family. The “real” royalty. But God picked Mary. A simple girl from a poor village drew His attention. He did not go to her in the temple but in the quiet seclusion of her humble surroundings. And immediately Mary gave no protest to this interruption. She gladly welcomed the news. She was obedient from the first initial conversation. Wow…when I think of how we all protest, complain, and whine, I am ashamed. I wonder how many lost opportunities I have missed. How may blessings I have been denied because I wanted the interruptions explained, examined, and questioned. God prompts us for His plans and we want a written document with ‘pre-nuptial like’ addendum before we proceed. The God of the universe desires to use us and we want to hold on to the things that collect dust and eventually rust. God desires great things to get His work accomplished on earth and we don’t want to be bothered sometimes. Mary was not so shallow. Mary saw an opportunity to represent God. Mary chose to be obedient to the interruption of her life. And aren’t we glad she did? Mary must have been the most sparkling vessel God saw. Her faith must have shimmered and reflected His face. Mary never mentioned Joseph or what he might think. Mary only claimed “to be ready to serve.” Gabriel unclenched his fingers and let out a hearty sigh. Delivering a message to Mary was easy. Mary listened. Mary obeyed. Mary moved. What do we do when our plans are interrupted by God?

The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger. -Elisabeth Elliot

God interrupts things because HE KNOWS what’s up ahead…and we don’t. We think we know. We make plans. We weigh everything. We examine evidence…and most of the time we make the final decision. We imitate ‘spiritual exercises’ but would totally freak out if things went terribly different than we plan. And yet everyday God is looking for a few Mary responses….because there is much work to be done. The plans we make become more important. Is our comfort so important that we deny His desire to use us? Have we become so disobedient that we can’t hear His voice? His plea? His bellow? Eternity hangs in the balance and He needs deep vessels. Mary had mountainous faith and desire to obey. What about us? What do we say to God when He sends Gabriel to tap us in the middle of a perfectly ‘good’ life?

O Lord Jesus Christ: In obedience to your holy claim upon me, I give myself anew to you this day; All that I am, all that I have, to be wholly and unconditionally yours for your using. Take me away from myself, and use me up as you will, when you will, where you will, with whom you will. Amen -Charles Whiston’s Snowflake Prayer

Charles Whiston prayed this prayer every day for years, believing that over time; this prayer (when it was truly from the heart) would be like one snowflake falling upon another. If you pray it once or twice, it wouldn’t make much of a difference, but if you prayed it again and again, it could change your life. As snowflakes compact against each other on a mountainside, they grow in density and size, ultimately forming a glacial mass that can chip away at the roughest pieces of rock. And so it is with the snowflake prayer. So what about you and me? Do we truly desire for God to use us to benefit heaven and accomplish His work while we are here?

I cannot answer for you…all I can say is that Gabriel paid me a visit in July. He asked me if I would open my heart, my purse, and my home to three little ones in Guyana. I fell on my face. I fell at His feet with an obedient spirit. And now??? There is the waiting. Waiting on papers. Waiting on Guyana. Waiting on moving. Waiting on people. Waiting on finances. Waiting is everywhere and I struggle with the wait. But Mary comforts me. I read her story and I know there was waiting. Waiting on Joseph to align his heart. Waiting as people pointed. Waiting as there was speculation. Waiting as she became a spectacle. Babies are not born right away…so even though Mary was deeply obedient …she had to wait. That is the lesson I am learning now. And so every morning I wake up thinking of Whiston’s prayer…trying to build the density for great and wondrous things for myself, for three orphans, but most of all for Him…and His ultimate decision on how I can best be used by Him. There are days when I see Him squarely. There are days I can hear him softly calling. There are days when I feel His warmth all around me. And there are days where he requires me just to go as he watches and works. So….I wait. And I see a swing set He sent. I wait and I see beautiful comforters (I could not afford) that he sent. I wait and He sends a “team” to build a backyard fence. Truly all He asks is that we have an obedient heart for His work. And so I wait. Sometimes glorious. Sometimes quiet. Sometimes painful. I read about His strength through His word. I meditate on His handiwork (my neighbors.) I listen to His melodious music. I weep. I giggle. I tremble. I dance. I sip from His cup of delight. And I learn. Mary, His beloved mother is my inspiration. If her young life can be interrupted in such a glorious way…I want that for myself…and for my family. Gabriel unclenched his fingers delivering His message to Mary…I hope that He finds me as willing to ‘lay down my life’ for the beautiful, life giving…King Jesus. Interrupt. Intrude. Ignite my heart with your whisper of greater things….a glacier mass that shines with your Glory and shimmer.

Praying for Brian, Amy, and Davi. Sustain them with your abounding love. Retrieve them with your mighty right hand. Defend them with your sword of grace. Surround them with a host of heavenly arsenal. Rescue them with your mercy. Have compassion on their circumstance. Use us for your plan. Use us as your intelligence. Have your way in all of us most Honorable and High Priest. “Take me away from myself, and use me up as you will, when you will, where you will, with whom you will.” All according to your will, King Jesus!

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