A Quiet and Gentle Submission
To reflect on the story of Mary’s submission to the Lord upon receiving her position to conceive, birth and mother the Son of God, is to behold the beauty of the quiet and gentle spirit spoken of in the Word of God (1 Peter 3:4). It is precious in the sight of God, and it is a glorious thing to read how the mother of our Savior had embodied this very spirit by the grace of God.
“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” – Luke 1:38
What doesn’t make sense to the world and even to the eyes of those you love, if it’s what the Lord is calling you to do, and what He has revealed to you in the secret place… that is your responsibility to now steward.
What God places in your hands, what He has entrusted to you, He is faithful to sustain and to birth. Whether that is a relationship, a ministry, a friendship, a business, a revelation…
God is not someone who abandons His masterpiece part way through, He who calls you is faithful and He surely will complete the work that He has begun in you.
It’s our responsibility, then, to partner with Him in this dance of sanctification. Whether that is devoting dedicated quiet time to spend with the Lord in walking in the garden of the Word and prayer with Him, or choosing to worship and praise Him in the midst of the storm or in the mundane tasks of everyday homemaking… to inviting His presence to dwell in and present through you at the workplace, at school, in your daily interactions and conversations with friends and strangers alike.
We can learn much from the submissive posture that Mary takes before the Lord. She does not resist the will of the Lord, even when it would cost her her reputation for a season, possibly her engagement with Joseph, the trajectory of her entire life…
Answering the call of your calling is obedience. Pressing into the Lord and accepting the call to carry to birth what He is entrusting you with, is obedience. It may be costly obedience, but that often is where the grace of God shows up to sustain you in ways that is beyond what one can imagine.
Maybe it’s your voice and the call to share the gospel with your neighbours. Maybe it’s writing that book, or committing to journaling sessions with Him, or preparing for marriage, or stewarding a ministry. Maybe it’s praying faithfully for an unsaved friend, or child, or parent. Maybe it’s moving to a new city, or staying faithful in what appears to be barren land.
Whatever it may be, may we become shaped by His Word that so fitly describes the heart of Mary in her submission to God entrusting her with baby Jesus.
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30
What is the Lord calling you to steward, and to birth, in this season?
I invite you to pray with me below.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I see the heart of Mary as she patiently and quietly submitted herself to the call You had placed on her life. I notice the way that she chose the way of servanthood in laying aside her plans to align her will with Yours. Thank You that Your ways are higher than ours, and Your thoughts than our thoughts. I pray now to submit myself to You the way that You had graced Mary to, and that You would sustain me through this season to continually be a faithful servant and daughter unto You. Make me a woman who truly fears the LORD, over the currents of culture and opinion.
In the matchless, merciful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
As we await His return…
To follow our journey of learning biblical femininity, find us on Instagram here.
To be in the know about our dresses, coming soon… join our waitlist here.