Highly Favored by God - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 27

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Highly Favored by God
By: Michelle Lazurek

Bible Reading:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” - Luke 1:38

Several years ago, my husband felt a calling to plant a church. He came to me one day and talked to me about the change, as we were already pastoring a church at a great distance from where we had originally grown up. My husband shared that he had a vision of a different kind of church and felt God was calling him to plant one. Honestly, I didn't sense the same calling. But I trusted him, and in submission, followed him in his endeavors.

After five years, the church closed due to financial constraints and declining attendance. Reflecting on that time in our lives, it would be easy for me to blame my husband and say he didn't hear God correctly. I could even say that, because I didn't sense his calling, I should have stopped it. 

There is a saying, “God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” The Lord honors our obedience to do whatever we feel God may be calling us to do. Although it's not always easy to hear what the Lord is saying and to discern whether a calling is our thoughts or God's, God honors our hearts when we choose to give up many things to fulfill His purpose.

Mary's response to the angel’s visitation is one we should all emulate. It's interesting to note that Mary was at first troubled by the angel's words because God highly favored her. However, once the Angel explained to her exactly what that might mean, her response above demonstrates that, even amidst difficulty, peril, and public humiliation, she was willing to fulfill God's call. 

Unlike many people in the Bible, Mary never flinched at the obedience God was calling her to. She, like Jesus, considered herself a servant of God. She was willing to do whatever He wanted, whenever He wanted. 

Think about your life. What is your response when God calls you to do something? Do you immediately ignore it, believing it is only your thoughts rather than God's thoughts? Analyze the difference in your response between something easy that God calls you to do, versus something more difficult that God calls you to do. Do you find you respond more readily to something that doesn't cost you significant comfort, time, money, or resources?

Mary said yes to God regardless of the high cost. Being a young girl, she knew she would be subjected to public ridicule, humiliation, rumors, and false accusations regarding the father of that baby. She also risked losing Joseph, her betrothed. In her human nature, part of her must have worried about Joseph's response when he learned of her news. Would he believe her? Would he think, like so many others, that she had had relations with a man other than him? 

Although the Angel of the Lord protected her from the misery that would come from a divorce, she chose to forsake personal comfort for the sake of serving the Lord. She considered herself a lowly servant, ready to serve God at a moment's notice.

If God asked you to do something great for Him, what would you do? Would you sell your home, move to a new location, or give up all your luxuries and comforts just to serve God? Analyze your heart as you read these words. What emotions do the above words evoke for you? Do you feel excited to serve the Lord, or do you feel a sense of dread, anxiety, or anger?

Mary was ready to serve God on a moment’s notice. She chose to accept a calling that cost her dearly in this life, but in the end, would make her known as the mother of Jesus for generations to come. Mary, once a lowly servant girl, was elevated to the position of the mother of God's son all by saying yes to God.

She wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?

Father, let us be people who accept God's calling even if it comes at a high cost. Let us consider ourselves servants who, upon hearing God highly favors us, are willing to serve Him at any cost. Let us forsake our own comforts, luxuries, money, time, and resources to further the gospel. Let us accept God's calling even if we don't fully understand what costs will come to us as we do. Amen.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Has God ever called you to do something great for Him? What was your response?

Further Reading:
Luke 2:39-45

Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Dmitry Kovalchuk

Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

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