-Joy Davidman Lewis, “On Fear”
All alone, Mary believed the angel Gabriel. She responded, “May it happen to me according to your word.” Such courage to believe. To act in faith, trust, and surrender. Understanding came later as a reward.
Do we fear or do we trust? Patty Callahan Henry, the New York Times best-selling author, probes this question in reflection of Mary’s courage and choice to surrender in faith, or to take on fear after her encounter with the angel. Mary’s spiritual posture and reply was simple, humble, and yet profound in a trusting statement of surrender. How encouraging for our walk of faith. To simply exercise trust during our unexpected and challenging times, especially extended delays experienced in our lives.
Truly open hearts move against fear, with a willingness to speak into the here and now. Daily we have opportunities that arise in our ordinary lives to respond in faith against fear, When appropriate to speak into the eternal now.
Joy Davidman Lewis’ quote, “If we should ever grow brave, what on earth would become of us?” I’m drawn to the passion, challenge, and adventure in this question to “grow brave” and its implications of what would become of us. It implies God has more for us!
Mary’s example of imperfect but pure-hearted faith, her steps of trust, surrender, and humble action welcomed God’s powerful purposes. It also welcomed His faithful promises and guiding presence. What mercy from our gracious heavenly Father to give so profoundly! Are we giving too little to God?
Do we fear or do we trust? What does this look like? Obviously a devotion to God and His ways, which are costly and weighty in practice for each follower of Christ. Scripture reveals from the life of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and even the Shepherds in the field, there is a quiet adventure and passion for all of us. We’re invited into His goodness through trust and often quiet action over fear.
Many times our actions play out in quieter environments, not necessarily in front of a lot of people or on a stage. Maybe the question is, Will our faith and trust be significant enough for us to be brave? Lord, help our unbelief. Help us to allow for space to grow. Walking with God is a daily practice of enjoying His presence, goodness and rich blessings. It’s so worth it. “Mary has the presence of God with her and she has the blessing of God upon her,” states Matthew Henry. This is the case for every believer.
Our God is on the move. Adventures in faith and great inspiration often surprise our timeline and press on fears of inadequacies, doubt, opposition and long seasons of waiting. How long? This is also our challenging cry along with Jeremiah, David, and Hannah. Let us recall, goodness greets us every morning, great is His faithfulness. Let us continue to surrender in faith and grow to be brave. God’s grace surrounds us, therefore, we have hope and joy as He changes us to be brave from glory to glory.