I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me
and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do
nothing. – John 15:5
Luke 1:26-38
Pray
for God to speak to you through the reading of His word.
Read
the passage.
-
Who, Me?
o
Mary wonders why the angel Gabriel
would address her by saying “the Lord is with you.”
o
Mary was not whom most people would
choose to be an instrument of God’s grace, a single woman, likely poor, from
out in the country.
o
God’s choice of Mary is evidence of
his penchant for using people not because they are likely candidates or perfect
people, but faithful ones.
o
What about your own life might cause
you to be surprised at God’s use of you in his plans?
-
Yes, Me!
o
Once
Mary understands her chosen role, and the grace that God has shown her in
inviting her into his plan, she enthusiastically proclaims herself to be God’s
servant, or slave.
o
Do
you see being used by God has a form of God’s grace?
o
When
you realize that God can use you, that he wants to use you, what is your
response?
o
Do
you give yourself over to God’s calling as enthusiastically as Mary did?
-
Who,
Us?
o
Sometimes
we read the Bible as if the people in it lived in a special time. While they did witness many things we would love
to see for ourselves, God expects as much of us as he did of them.
o
Mary
made great sacrifices, daily sacrifices, to fulfill God’s plan. What sacrifices do you make to fulfill God’s
plan?
Praise God for allowing us, even us,
to take part in his divine plan.
Pray for the ability to
enthusiastically embrace God’s calling in your life.
Pray for discernment to discover
God’s calling in your life.
