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A calming message

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Pastor's Corner

Recently my wife and I stood by my daughter's side wearing lead aprons as the doctor took some pictures during a medical procedure. I had been in the waiting room during her prep time, so I didn't really know what to expect. However, the nurses began to coach her on what to do next, referring back to the prep time. She did things exacuy as asked and wasn't surprised at the discomfort when it came. (It also didn't hurt that they let her watch the movie Frozen during the process.) The medical staff had a plan for dealing with my child's fear.

When the angel Gabriel went to Mary in Luke 1, he needed to calm her anxiety, so he said, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God." This put Mary into a calmer state, knowing that she had been living her life in such a way that God was pleased with her. Now she would be ready to hear the following: "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." Of course Mary questioned this news because she was still a virgin. The angel then shared God's miraculous plan. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." The angel's message was concise, yet it was packed with an idea far too amazing for Mary to fathom all at once. However, her response does show an assured acceptance of the role God was asking her to play in His plan of salvation. "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." The angel was a messenger to Mary directly from God. He had a plan and shared it with Mary. Sure, she would face scrutiny and much discomfort throughout her pregnancy, yet she could think back to the time of preparation with the angel and be confident that God would be with her.

What is God preparing you for? How has He spoken to you to calm your fears? I pray that through meditation on His Word, He will give you the same assurance that Mary had in carrying out His plan for your life.



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