When God gives us what feels like an impossible task, He also gives us encouragement, assurances, even something visible or concrete.

Gabriel gave Mary the message that she was honored by the Most High (God) and that she would bear His son. Here comes the encouragement from Gabriel…

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.” Luke 1:36

Here comes the assurance (and a promise), 

“FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.” Luke 1:37

What a promise for Mary.

Next comes her response. We can see the reason she was chosen—humble surrender to God’s will.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

We can’t be sure of the timing, but at some point Mary left to go to the hill country to visit her relative, Elizabeth (maybe an aunt.) Hear Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. 

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:42-44

To see Elizabeth, very pregnant, and to hear her words when she entered the house were the visible, concrete signs Mary needed.

Hear a few of Mary’s words as she breaks forth in praise.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. Luke 1:46-47

Later in in her song of praise, she says,

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. Luke 1:52

Mary is not boasting of being “humble,” she’s acknowledging that this great thing the Lord has done in her has been done to a nobody, an insignificant peasant girl, not the seed of an earthly king. With God, nothing is impossible!

I remember when God called me to write about lesser-known Bible characters. I thought, “How can I do this? I’m not a seminary graduate or even an author.” But the call to the task was very clear through more than enough signs. Half-way through the first book, I thought again, “Who do I think I am to complete this task, but He reminded me, “You can’t,” but with God nothing is impossible.

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

May you joyfully celebrate with Mary and the angels and the shepherds as we all give praise that our Savior became “God with us.” And whatever task He calls you to do this next year, remember He will encourage you along the way for nothing is impossible with God. 

~ Joyce ~