I like the New Living Translation of the Bible as an additional study aid. It can bring clarity and a new perspective especially to very familiar passages. Luke 1:38 in the NLT says," I am the Lord's servant and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." As I pondered this verse this morning I thought about all of the changes that God has brought about in my life after I made a similar statement when I surrendered to the call to ministry. Some of them have been what I expected but a great deal has been totally unanticipated. Someone asked me recently if I had had any inkling what I was really getting myself into when I answered the call. The answer is no, not completely. There have been challenges as well as joys. Mary certainly had no way to know the way that her heart would be pierced later on. She didn't know all of the ways that this simple statement would change her life, but,she was willing to be used. Her words were, I am willing to accept. It wasn't a passive, "whatever" but an active embracing of God's will. It was a trust in the providence and loving-kindness of the creator.of the universe who took notice of a poor peasant girl. I don't know what the future holds for me. I am now 65, the age when most people are retiring. I think about it and we are certainly doing some things to put us in a financial position to do that if and when the time comes. But, I haven't heard Him say that is what he wants yet so until then, like Mary , "I am willing to accept whatever He wants". Now, lest you think that I am being noble or "spiritual" let me just say that I have discovered that adopting that attitude takes a lot of pressure off of me. I don't have to have everything all worked out. I don't have to make a plan. I don't have to have all of the answers. All I have to do is be open and accepting of whatever God places in my path. In the final analysis that is a much easier way to live. Besides, God is so much smarter than I am and He's got it all worked out. I just ned to go with the flow.
