In her book, All the Women of the Bible, Edith Deen wrote of Mary, Though she never traveled any farther than from Palestine to Egypt, and then by donkey, her story still travels to the farthest corners of the earth. Every year during the Christmas season, we are reminded of the story of Christ’s birth and the vital part a young peasant woman played in His story. Mary was just a poor girl living in an insignificant town, from a humble family, with little expectations that her life was going to be any different than most. 

Yet, God chose her for what was indisputably the most important job in history, bringing our Savior, Jesus Christ, into the world. She was the perfect unlikely choice, which makes her story even more remarkable. 

While her life held great honor, her calling also required great suffering. Though there was joy in motherhood, there was great pain in the privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. Despite these things, she responded to God with great obedience and submission to His plan. Her life never robbed Jesus of His glory, for her mission was to witness the glory of the Son of God.

As you and I face a new year, what encouragement we receive from this simple peasant girl. Mary was chosen by God for a vital part in His story, she submitted to His will for her life, and she embraced her calling.

As Christian women, we have a vital part to play in God’s story. The question is: Will we submit to His will for our lives in the coming year, embracing our calling?

In Matthew 28:18-20, we see His will and calling for those who lives are submitted to Him, And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. ESV

Our calling is to go and tell, to make disciples, and like Mary, our mission is to witness the glory of the Son of God.

May each of you have a blessed New Year, one filled with the joy and peace found in submission and obedience to His purpose and calling for your life!!

Dianne

• And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”Luke 1:28 ESV 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 ESV