A Change of Plans

“You are pregnant.” For some, those are words of joy, fulfillment and excitement. For others, the words carry fear, dread and despair. Mary of Nazareth is a young virgin, betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth. Gabriel’s announcement that Mary is about to become pregnant with the long-promised savior is phenomenal news of wonder and delight. But frankly, it is a change of plans for Mary, and Joseph.
 
Mary is in a precarious predicament. She is a virgin, about to become pregnant while promised in marriage to Joseph, who has never touched her. Will he, will anyone believe her story? By law, she could be charged with adultery, a crime punishable by stoning. Yet, Mary’s response to Gabriel’s announcement isn’t “What if? Why me? Can’t someone else do this?” Mary was set to follow one path in life until God announces things would be different. Despite the challenges she will face, Mary says, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
 
God is constantly in the business of changing plans and transforming lives and circumstances to produce results we could never imagine. With Gabriel’s announcement, Mary was transformed from a simple village girl to the mother of the Savior. Despite his brothers’ plot to destroy his dreams, Joseph (of Genesis) was transformed from a dreamer, slave and prisoner to second in command of Egypt. Regardless of his excuses, Moses was transformed from a prince of Egypt and murderer to the shepherd of a nation. Although scoffed at by Goliath and others, David was transformed from a shepherd boy to a warrior and king. The coarse talking, brash acting Peter was transformed from a fisherman and a denier of Jesus to the Pentecost preacher. Even the zealot of the Pharisees, Saul, was transformed from chief persecutor to apostle to the Gentiles. And for our sakes, Jesus was transformed from the Divine Glory of Heaven to a crucified criminal to secure our eternal liberty.
 
If you have ever came up with your own plans for life, imagined dreams and aspirations of where you will go, what you will do, and who you will be, you know God has a way of redirecting things. The redirection isn’t always painless nor easy but it is always worth it. Whatever transformational experiences you are undergoing today, know God’s changes will produce results beyond your greatest expectations. Just follow Mary’s lead when the fires of transformation rise. Tell God, “Let it be to me according to your word.”