Mary's Usability
Luke 1:26-28
A believers' usability isn't dependent upon talents but on willingness.
Stories are told of men and women who were greatly used by God throughout history. These were Christians who stood firm in their faith, boldly took a stand, attempted some great feat, and made a difference for Christianity. Yet sometimes when speaking of such people, we forget that God still desires to use believers in the same way today. When talking about "usability" in God's work, Scottish missionary Robert Murray McCheyne perhaps said it best when he wrote the following to a fellow preacher upon the preacher's ordination:
"In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."
A believers' usability isn't dependent upon talents but on willingness and holiness. Jesus' earthly mother is a perfect example of how God is looking for those surrendered to Him.
We really don't read much about Mary before her encounter with Gabriel in Luke 1:26. Mary wasn't a noble or kingly person. She wasn't of royal bloodline and wasn't well-known around Israel. While many expected Jesus to be born of a kingly family, God chose Mary.
What we do know about Mary was that her life pleased God. As Gabriel said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee...." Even though she was a simple Hebrew girl, Mary lived each day to please God. She followed His commands and kept a pure testimony.
I'm sure many girls in that day dreamed of being a mother to the Messiah, but God was looking for a pure, willing vessel. Notice that His qualifications weren't much, but they were important.
Mary was used because she was pure and willing to follow God. Think of others who've been used through the ages. Abraham was willing to leave his home. Isaac was willing to be sacrificed. Joseph was willing to be mistreated. Elijah was willing to confront an evil king. David was willing to a simple shepherd boy. Job was willing to be tried. John the Baptist was willing to live as an outcast. Paul was willing to give up everything for God's work.
The one thread that ties together the great men and women of Christianity is a willingness to be used however God desired. Do you desire to be used of God? Don't look at your past, your weaknesses, or your lack of talent and assume God can't use you. Convincing Christians of their weaknesses is how the devil sidelines many believers God wants to use.
Think about Mary's life. She wasn't anyone special, yet God used her in perhaps the greatest way possible in her day. She was the earthly mother of God's Son!
God desires to use you today. While He's not looking for talent or success, He is looking for willing, pure believers who follow His Word. Make sure your life is being lived to honor Him. Live a godly, pure life, and allow Him to work through you.
Daily Bible Reading
Amos 4-6 | Revelation 7
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