Dec 10th, 2023: God Works Through Us

"Gabriel appeared to her and said, 'Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!' Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 'Don’t be afraid, Mary,' the angel told her, 'for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.'" - Luke 1:28-31

"We find it hard to believe that God appears and reveals His plan to us. He did that at the time of Jesus's birth, and He continues to do that today. We should expect Him to speak more than ever before as we try to navigate through the many challenges we face spiritually.

Mary was informed that she was favored by God to give birth to Jesus. God's favor will change the course of life drastically. Mary was hoping for a normal married life with Joseph. Her acceptance of God's plan for the world demands tremendous sacrifices on her part.

We cannot expect God to show up without having the desire to give up our personal plans and desires. Maybe that is why we are afraid of God's revelation. We are called to a non-negotiable commitment to God's plan for this broken world. What sacrifices do we need to make in order for God to make a difference in this world by working through us?"