When I began to read Luke again recently I felt excited, I related to Mary's heart. She witnessed God's power in Elizabeths incredible conception. She saw God move and she wanted to see more, and at this point she surrendered her life.
"And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say" (Luke 1:36-38).
When I became a Christian, having started coming to Exchange, I was so excited by the glimpse of God's goodness which was so evident in the worship, the word and in the community, I was so encouraged by the testimonies that I too made a decision to surrender all, to surrender my life, my time, my relationship and my future. I decided to serve in anyway that I could...eager to be placed somewhere within the church so that God could use me...this started off as serving on tea and coffee, cleaning, welcoming, crèche and kids... Anything I could do to advance God's Kingdom, even in a small way, I would do!
God blessed my willingness to serve, He lead Adam and I to our role as Youth Pastors, positioning us so that our giftings and talents could be used to their greatest potential! As we began to align our hearts and minds with God's truths, He blessed us with abundance and peace in our everyday lives as well as an increase over our Youth ministry. He blessed us with a great team, with great people and with continual encounters with him! And I hold out hope that He will remain faithful and continue to build this!
"Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true" (Luke 1:39-45 MSG).
Serving can be hard, leading can be hard, that's probably an understatement! But I endlessly remind myself that I am guided by God in all that I do, that I gain wisdom and inspiration from His word and that I'm strengthened by a close relationship with Him!
"And Mary said, I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others" (Luke 1:46-55).