My Thoughts in Mary's Shoes.
Have you ever thought of what Mary thought?
I’ve questioned this a lot. I’ve heard many comments by peers in institute, church, or just in a general discussion where
they’ve tried to imagine themselves in Mary’s experience.
She’s just been given
the calling of a lifetime, and – she feels inadequate to bring it to pass.
The typical thoughts mirror our own when we receive a
calling that’s “out of our league.”
Why me? Doesn’t God know about all of the mistakes I’ve made
in the past? Doesn’t he know about all the times I’ve screwed up in the past 24
hours? Is this just a calling to repent? Doesn’t he see I’m just a girl? Or just a boy? Doesn’t he see that I’ve never had any experience in
this miraculous calling? I can’t do that.
Mary had quite the experience. She was truly visited by the
angel, Gabriel, and bore the Son of God.
Luke 1: 27-31
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the
angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord
is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And
when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what
manner of salutation this should be.
And the
angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And,
behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call
his name JESUS.
Many of us have experiences that we would deem, “miraculous.”
Enchanting, perhaps. Some may go as far as, any of the following: incredible, unbelievable,
amazing, or remarkable.
However… Was there ever a time when we discounted our own experience
because of our lacking faith?
When we get an answer to our prayer and feel the Spirit, how
often do we tell ourselves later, “Maybe I was just making it up in my head?”
I think it would have
been hard for Mary to do this in her situation.
When she went through her days, did she question her perfect
son and his mission?
Do we wonder about our testimonies? How many times do we hesitate
as past promptings or inspiration that have led us to a life that we now live?
What’s the perfect word for the emotion that Satan smothers us with that second
guesses every upright thought we have?
An apostle said it perfectly with,
We can never deny our Savior. Jesus Christ is our light in
the darkness. He has helped us through everything thus far, and will continue
to lead us according to our willingness and desire. He loves us perfectly and
will see passed our doubts, even when we don’t. Our part is doing our best to listen
to him and to align our will with His. I know this to be true.