Confusion is NOT A Disqualifier

S - "But Mary was very confused about what the angel said. She wondered, 'What does this mean?' … 'You will name him Jesus. He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God, and the Lord God will make him king like his ancestor David. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'" (Luke 1:29, 31-33 TLJ)

O - There were so many things for Mary to be confused about.  Certainly the biology alone was staggering; the social implications tragically complicated.  Nevertheless, the angel continued with his message and she continued to embrace what was being presented.  The name, identity and duration of this  "incoming baby" moved deeper into the realm of confused impossibilities.  God's Son? King? Forever? Never end?  The description of Jesus given to her is straight forward and uncluttered.  The wonderful thing about heaven's interface with earth and earthlings is that it never requires understanding … just believing. It is not surprising at all to find that she is greeted by her relative Elizabeth with the acknowledgment "blessings are yours because you believed what the Lord said to you!" (Luke 1:45)

A - From my two thousand year old vantage point everything the angel said to Mary is easy to understand. In fact, the Christmas story is now understood the world over.  It has found its way into worldwide commerce, religions of all types and sizes and even into very remote corners of planet earth.  Interestingly enough, all these years later the challenge of the story remains the same.  The  critical focus is never understanding but believing. This is the issue for me and for all humans.  Regardless of my current level of understanding, will I believe?  As I consider this day, the season of my life and the situations and circumstances which orbit me, I admit that not only does God have a will on earth but he is working everything for good.  I will accept the conclusion of both the angel and Mary: "Nothing is impossible with God" and "I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me." (Luke 1:37-38)

P - Lord in Heaven above and on earth below, there is no other,

Thank you for NOT requiring me to understand.  Thank you for not calling me to a principle, plan, promise or concept but to a person … to Jesus.  I welcome you and your will on earth like they do in heaven; without reserve or flicker.  I am so grateful that mustard seed sized faith is really is sufficient to all you intend.  Thank you for loving me/us first, most and for refusing to change your mind.  I love you back and am gratefully saying this to you in Jesus' name.

Steve