Here am I…

Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.

We are all familiar with this story. Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her that she is going to have a child, and the child will be the Son of God.  Her response is “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  Now if Gabriel would come to me and say I would have a child (beyond that being a HUGE miracle!) I do not believe I would react the same way.  If Gabriel came and told me anything I think my reaction would be to run and hide. Not to calmly say Here am I…

But that is what is interesting… Mary said here am I.  She did not say here I am.  She was not telling Gabriel where she was, or giving her location.  She was giving herself, as an offering to the most high God, who has chosen to work out His plan of salvation for the entire world through a virgin named Mary.  It is the difference between saying I’m here, and stepping into an offering plate, Here am I, an offering to the Lord. Use me as you see fit Jesus…

Isn’t that what God wants each of us to say? Isn’t that how God wants each of us to come to Him? In fear and trembling we approach the throne of God and say “Here am I, use me as you see fit. Use me as you created me to be used.”

That is what Mary did in her response to Gabriel.  She noticed that God wanted to use her and she knew that He would not let her down, and that He would be her shade and her shelter, and protect her in the storm.  God will not let us down.  We just need to hand Him our lives and let Him be in control.

Daddy God, help me to say Here am I, and give you control over the life you created. Guide us to give our lives over to you and to rest in your shelter, strength and sustenance. Amen.