By Joyce Tilney

Mary did you know…The decision you made that day would change the world?

“Blessed, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:28). From the moment of the angel’s visit until the resurrection of Jesus many things were to happen in this young woman’s life. Did she really feel blessed and highly favored? Did her friends, family and neighbors see her as a highly favored Woman of God?

As the mother of Jesus, Mary stands far apart from any other woman in history. Her testimony is another example of how God uses ordinary women and men to fulfill His plans and purposes. Her response, “Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word…” (Luke 1:38) tells us much about this young woman. She had studied from the books of Moses, the Psalms and the writing of the prophets. She knew what God had done for her people and what He had promised to do for them. She remembered the promise in Isaiah 7:14, “Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel.”

Traveling to see her relative Elizabeth, whom Gabriel had mentioned was with child, Mary pondered those things told to her by this angel of the Lord. Who would believe her? It had been so long since a visitation from God to man. As she walked the country side, rich with the history of her people, I can imagine the tumult of her thoughts—still amazed, sometimes perplexed! Me Lord, can you really use me? Mary like you and me was not perfect. She knew herself, her faults and short comings, could God really use her?

Totally exhausted after a long journey she finally reached Elizabeth’s home. Before she had an opportunity to share her secret, she heard…”Blessed are you among women” (vs. 42)…the same words spoken to her by the angel! What joy she felt! As her fears vanished, the Word of the Lord was confirmed and her faith strengthened. All of her pent up emotions were released and her joy was expressed in a song of praise!

We see a pattern established here, that the older women teach the younger women. There are many Mary’s today that need an Elizabeth and many Elizabeth’s that need a Mary. Both Elizabeth and Mary had been chosen by God for a special purpose. I wonder if ever a shadow crossed their minds of what was to come the of sons they would bear?

God continued to encourage Mary as the shepherds came sharing those things told them concerning the child. Later, a visit to the Temple brought forth more words of confirmation from Simeon and Anna, only to be followed by years of fleeing. But, no doubt, Mary pondered those things which had been spoken in her heart, as she found herself on another long, dirty, dusty donkey ride, this time into Egypt with her son and husband into a land of idol worship, a people that hated her race. Did she ever think, “Is this what it is to be a blessed woman?”

There were many uneventful years with no angel appearing, no encouraging word of confirmation. After such a spectacular beginning it seemed they were living a very normal quiet life. Her husband the carpenter was teaching Jesus along with his brothers a trade to keep them in the world.

I can personally relate to this time in Mary’s life, a time of waiting for the fulfillment of the promise, a time when everything seems to be going wrong. You are holding on with everything within you to be steadfast, to fight the good fight of faith!

Did this “blessed woman” realize what was ahead of her? The many lonely hours, hard times and times of misunderstandings? From the miraculous beginning, through the time Jesus’ ministry to the cross, how many times did she recall the words of Simeon? “Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, also” (Luke 2:35).

What God did through Mary, supernaturally imparting life where none existed—He is able to do today in any realm, in hearts and minds, marriages, businesses, disappointments and failures. He is still offering the same miraculous power to bring life to the dead. Are you open, as Mary was, to the supernatural power of God, the Holy Spirit to bring life to the chaos of your lives?

Mary was uniquely privileged, but so are you! God is still searching throughout the world for women who say, “Let it be to me according to your word…” (Luke 1:38). Women who will receive God’s grace and walk in the truth of His Word and are willing to lose their reputation for His sake and fight the good fight of faith! You are born to overcome in this world! You have the perfect DNA.

Joyce Tilney is the Founder of Women of God Ministries, teaching women today…from women of yesterday. www.wogministries.com. Author of Leah, the Substitute Bride.