The yoke of impossible is an illusion

Luke 1:26-38

I have read todays’ Gospel probably 100 times in my life and walk as a Christian.  In my meditations, I have attempted to “be Mary” in that moment.  One of the things that strikes me about her is that as innocent, and grace filled as she is, she asks the question any of us would when faced with a prophecy/destiny/ God’s will that seems impossible, “How is this to be?”  The humility of the question is beautiful.  “How is this to be?”  and the humanity of the next phrase has echoed through my own life many times, “I have no husband.” 

In our personal journeys with God, how often have we uttered similar?  We have all faced moments in time where God’s will for our lives is apparent to us.  We are supposed to, move, marry, change careers, or fill in the blank with what you have experienced.  At the beginning of the journey we lack understanding of how any of it can happen, “How is this to be?”  and then we follow that with, “I don’t have _____.”  We may feel bad about that questioning after we have accomplished the “impossible”, but today’s scripture shows us we are in really excellent company, as it is even Mary’s first reaction.   

Gabriel’s reply is, not surprisingly, perfect and something we can draw on in our own walk.  The angel points out another example of “impossibility” to Mary and reminds her, which also reminds us, “With God nothing will be impossible.”  In those two simple sentences, we have the key to many things in our lives.  First, as we face impossibility, if we look around to the other ‘saints in training’ past and present who may have been called similarly (if not exactly) to us, we then have a visual example that can bolster our faith.  This is one of the good reasons to study the lives of saints isn’t it?  They weren’t always saints, they were at one point, saints in training faced with real life trials and tribulations.  They were faced with choices about walking in faith or leaning on their own understanding of what is possible.  Looking at the good and the bad way they handled their journey, can be an example to us of what is good, possible, and Holy.   It can also remind us, that what is God’s will, is never impossible. 

The last part is really one of the most important parts for us to learn, Mary’s reply.  She says, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."  Of course, she came to it much quicker than often we do when faced with His will.  In that sentence, we have an example of total submission to God.  We have an example of complete faith. In this case, anything less than that ends the story.  There is no Gospel, there is no Christ, there is no hope of salvation if that submission doesn’t happen.  Without that simple innocent faith, all is lost.

Now, the fate of the world and all the souls that were, or ever shall be, probably doesn’t rest on your answer to God. Which, I don’t know about you, I’m super glad of as I am DEFINITELY not worthy or capable of that kind of function in the kingdom.  At the same time, your answer might make the difference for one person or a handful of people, it may be only you.  Only God knows.  How sad would it be, to lose even one?

Beyond that, let’s us re-examine what we believe is possible and impossible.  Where are you now that you see only impossibility?  Look around you, examine the Sacred Scripture, ask the Lord, seek the wisdom of the people who did it before you, and realize that the yoke of impossibility is yours, not Gods’.  If it is His will, and we have the grace and faith to submit, then He will get the glory of working the impossible in your life too.

Just some food for thought and prayer…

Heavenly Father, I submit to your will in my life today. Make what the world sees as impossible a reality, and grant me the grace to be like Mary in my obedience to Your will. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, AMEN!

Here I am, Lord, Send me,

Lisa Brandel