Friday's Footnote

Luke 1:38

 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Good morning to all of you on this Fabulous Friday morning!

I have been intrigued for many years by the Bible account of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, so today I decided to re-read Luke chapter one; a chapter that always stirs something deep within me. The stories of Zacharias and Elisabeth having a child (John) in their old age, and then Mary, a young lady, being chosen to bear the Savior of the world! I'm in awe once again of God and His indescribable plan.

The "characters" in Luke one, namely, those I mentioned above, were all willing vessels. After being visited by angels, Zacharias, even though he doubted, still allowed God to use him to bring about the birth of John. Then, Mary, so innocent and pure, says the words that I think about a lot, "... be it unto me according to thy word." Little did she understand how her life would be forever changed, yet she submitted.

B. J. Thomas recorded some Christmas songs about twelve years ago, and this particular one is on that CD. I love the words contained in it, and I want to share it for you today:

Be It Unto Me

by B. J. Thomas

Verse One

O Mary, sweet Mary, I must wake you from your sleep

Don't be frightened 'cause I've come

With a secret you must keep

There's a mission, so listen

God is calling you to serve

For this night you will carry

The Savior of the world

So, will you go? Or will you stay?

Then Heaven's angel heard Mary say

Chorus

Be it unto me according to Your word, O Lord

Oh, be it unto me according to Your word, O Lord

Lord, shine down Your light

Shatter the dark, 

Shine down Your love into my heart

Be it unto me according to Your word, O Lord

Verse Two

O, brothers and sisters, awaken from your sleep

Don't be frightened, for the Light from heaven must speak

There's a mission, so listen

God is calling us to serve

See the dying, hear them crying

Bring the Savior to their world

So, will you go? Or will you stay?

Don't you want Heaven to hear you say

(Chorus again)

Bridge

Hear the call that lifts you higher

God gives wings to your desires

Submission played an enormous part in bringing God into our world so long ago, yet submission continues to play that same part in our lives, as well. May our hearts be in tune with what God wants, and may He hear us say, as Mary did so long ago, "Be it unto me according to thy word." We may not feel that we play such an important role as she did, yet God is still calling people to serve Him. He waits for those who will answer that call, and carry out His plans now.

May we strive to be as faithful to our Heavenly Father as He has been to us! Have a Fabulous Friday, family and friends.... 

Until tomorrow when, Lord willing, we meet again, here's another Friday footnote:

"I think that it is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. 

How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, 

by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, 

by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, 

and by a submission of our desires to His will.

-- Charles Spurgeon