Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
Luke 1:38
Mary was the first Christian. The first one, called by God to participate in the incarnation of God. The first one to believe, the first one to say yes. An angel appears to her and tells her of God’s plan, and even though she must be terrified, Mary says, “here I am.”
Throughout the Bible God calls people, one person, two people, twelve, and through them God reaches out to the world, and changes it. Does God call people who have it all together, who have all the answers, who are important, and well respected? No, God calls fallible people just like you and me. People who think they don’t possibly have what it takes to do God’s work. Does God fail them? Never!
Mary’s first response to the angel is, “How is this to be?” I bet Mary was thinking to herself, surely you’ve got the wrong Mary… I’m nobody important. I’m not even married! But she responds to God’s call with, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord.”
God is calling you too! Perhaps your first response was, “Surely God isn’t calling me, I’m just imagining things.” That’s what I said too. But keep listening because God will try again. Are you ready to say, “Here I am!”
For great is his steadfast love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117)