“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45
Well it finally happened! At my Doctor’s office yesterday, his initial diagnosis was simply a nasty cold. As the Doctor exited the room he said, “Just in case, I’m going to have them probe you for Covid!” For emphasis (or fun), he pointed his finger into the air and made a jabbing motion. He’s such a jokester! My thought was, “Oh great!!!! I’m about to be probed!”
I’d heard the stories of folks getting swabs shoved practically up into their brains for the viral test. None said it was pleasant! A nasal virgin myself, I had not had the experience! But that was about to change! I closed my eyes, sucked it up (like dad taught me) and rolled with it. Afterward, with water filling my eyes, I could only think…”glad THAT’S over!”
While reading the Christmas Story in Luke, it just kind of popped out at me. This verse, and in what is called “Mary’s Magnificat” that follows, shows Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving her response to God after what, quite literally, had been a Heavenly probe! When Perfect God invaded Mary’s sinful humanity, Mary was blown away! And she lived to tell about it!
Her response to God’s revelation that SHE was about to be the mother of ‘His Son’ is quite humbling! Her ‘soul glorified God and rejoiced in her Humble state!’ The great God of the universe had touched her, and with tears in her eyes, she ultimately realized just how blessed a servant she truly was! Her words, along with God’s Spirit, turned and probed MY spirit! Forcing ME to respond to His touch!
The one thing missing in Mary is conceit! She had every reason to feel above everyone else! God had chosen HER! It could have been easy to stick her tongue at humanity and look down on the rest of us. But she doesn’t! She goes on to include ALL of humanity under the watchful gaze of God’s eye. Praise and overwhelming joy are her only responses. Humbled by her wonder, I considered how “I” see things.
To become and be a believer in Jesus Christ is tough. The FIRST criteria is to DIE! To lose the sense of self and see oneself under the X-ray of God’s vision. I believe that is why so few Christians exist, since the entrance exam proves so debilitating! Christmas reminds me that life is NOT about me. But about God taking the time and paying the cost to REDEEM me! Ultimately, I join with Mary in saying…”My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
What do YOU say when God probes YOU?
