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b'READ: LUKE 1:26-56; 2:1-35; 1 TIMOTHY 4:12\\n\\n\\n\\nIn Luke 1, when the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Mary was probably no more than sixteen. As if the angel wasn\\u2019t terrifying enough, he also brought distressing news: she\\u2014still a virgin and engaged to be married\\u2014would soon become pregnant with the Son of the Most High God.\\n\\n\\n\\nTalk about rocking your world! Things were different then, and Mary would not have been considered too young to become a mother, as Jewish women often became engaged in their teens. Yet Mary was understandably \\u201cconfused and disturbed\\u201d (Luke 1:29). Just imagine being in her shoes\\u2026what would you say? To Joseph? To your parents? To anyone? I mean, angels only spoke to prominent people, right?\\n\\n\\n\\nYet Mary\\u2019s response to Gabriel revealed a remarkable faith and a humble heart: \\u201cI am the Lord\\u2019s servant,\\u201d she replied, \\u201cMay everything you have said about me come true\\u201d (Luke 1:38).\\n\\n\\n\\nTo understand how astonishing Mary\\u2019s faith was, let\\u2019s take a moment to contrast her response with the responses of others (adults, no less) who God also called to do frightening tasks. For example, Moses and Gideon reacted with protests and excuses when God called them to lead His people and deliver them from their oppressors (Exodus 3\\u20134; Judges 6\\u20137).\\n\\n\\n\\nOn the other hand, when God offered Mary the opportunity to participate in His story of deliverance, she not only responded to God willingly, she also offered Him her heartfelt praise. Listen as Mary breaks out in song while visiting her cousin Elizabeth: \\u201cOh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!\\u2026For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me\\u201d (Luke 1:46-49).\\n\\n\\n\\nThe next time we\\u2019re faced with frightening circumstances, let\\u2019s turn to God in faith as Mary did, relying on God\\u2019s power instead of looking at our own limits, and join in her joyful song. \\u2022 G. Kam Congleton\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 When God invites us to be part of His good work of deliverance and restoration, it can often be frightening. Yet, through the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to do everything He calls us to do. There is great joy in saying \\u201cyes\\u201d to His invitations! How could Mary\\u2019s story, and the way God did seemingly impossible things in her life, give us courage when we face frightening situations?\\n\\n\\n\\nMary responded, \\u201cI am the Lord\\u2019s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.\\u201d Luke 1:38a (NLT)'