In response to the messenger angel, Mary declared, "I am the Lord's slave" (Luke 1:38). Being a disciple of Jesus is to be His servant/slave (Phil. 1:1; Eph. 6:6; Rom. 6:22). Being a slave of God opens a world of seemingly impossible possibilities.
One thing that touches hearts about the olympics being watched around the world is seeing the victory of achieving the seemingly impossible. Yet, it is through years of hard work and commitment that athletes get to that moment. I'm sure they would testify about days they felt like slaves to coaches and trainers who helped them get ready for the moment of truth where victory was within their reach.
We each have a calling and victory over the impossible is within reach through Christ Jesus ( 1 Cor. 15:57). That is good news.
The call of God for Mary, and for any follower of Christ, is an impossible demand.....which magnifies the possibilities of verses like Philippians 4:13. Yes to hard work and commitment, but even a greater need for being a slave to Christ who makes impossibilities possibilities.
As Michael Card says it, "To become obedient to His call always means becoming a slave to the impossible."
What is ahead for you that seems impossible?
Comment from Jim Lindsey----
ReplyDeleteSteve: Your topic is yes and amen. We are all called and purchased by Him for service to Him. It is well documented that even the Son is called a servant. I have always struggled with the idea of Jesus being a Servant and at the same time a reigning King.
I think the connection is in the fact that He is a Son. He still serves, but He is a Son and rules over all the father has.
There is a shift that must take place in the mind of the believer regarding this issue. Church is often very good at serving, that is, doing things that fit the idea of good works. We are good doers, but often fall short of being in a father son relationship with the Lord.
This idea of moving into sonship is paramount to the overall maturity of the church. In John 8:35 there is a contrast between being a slave to sin and a son. Christ says,"And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever". Paul tells us in Romans 8:14, "For as many as walk in the Spirit of God, these are the Sons of God".
The servants heart is not lost or in no way minimized through this idea of sonship, but rather perfected.
I think this idea can be pictured in the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15. The sons could be pictured as the church, the eldest son, and the blinded Jews at the end of the age. When there is much celebration at the youngest sons repentance the eldest makes a complaint to the father. In the fathers answer he makes a very powerful statement.
He says in verse 31, " Son you are always with me and all that I have is yours". This son had performed well, but did not understand his position, he possessed all things but did not know it.
In many ways this is the condition of the church. So busy doing things that we have lost sight of who we are. This attitude could also be keeping us from rejoicing with the father who says in the last verse, "It is right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead but is alive again and was lost and is found".
Let us carry out our servant lifestyle with the mantle of a son, ruling and reigning with Christ.