And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:34-37Mary could not understand how God’s plan for her could possibly be accomplished. “Are you sure it’s me that God has chosen? I am not qualified. I’m not capable. I’m not ready!” But God’s ways are not about the possible. They are about the impossible. Through God, the impossible not only becomes possible, it becomes probable. How can a virgin conceive a child? The same way a barren woman does. Through the power of the Most High.
When we allow the Holy Spirit of God to “overshadow” us and fill our lives, we see miracles. But even more, we expect to see miracles. In today’s society, and sadly even in many of today’s churches, we don’t expect to see miracles. The Holy Spirit is barely recognized let alone welcomed and looked for. The Bible tells us that everyone who has accepted the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Christ crucified is birthed into a new life, an eternal life with God, and receives the Holy Spirit into their very beings. Yet, we go about our daily existence relying on our own power, barely aware of the potential that lies within us.
For Mary to accomplish her purpose in life she was going to have to let go of her plans, dreams, and sense of control and allow God’s Holy Spirit to overshadow her. It was a big decision, a crossroads from which she could never return.
Holy Spirit, we welcome you. We open our lives, our homes, our churches to Your Presence, to Your Power, and to Your Potential. Fill us today. Pour out from us today. Overshadow our lives today. Amen
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