“She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”(Luke 1:45, HCSB)
She who has believed is blessed. So often we forget that our knowing isn’t enough as a leader for Jesus. The devil knows, he just refuses to submit in faith. As I like to say, “Our knowing isn’t growing until our knowing is showing.”
Faith works. Faith trusts. Faith believes. Therefore, we act on the faith we have. Where there is no action, there is no faith. Knowledge without action isn’t faith; it’s doubt.
Mary was blessed because she believed and responded by faith. ““I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38, HCSB) Now, don’t lose sight of the enormity of God’s “ask” of Mary. She would be the first virgin to bear a child! THAT was a set up for enormous ridicule from the townspeople she had known all her life.
In the midst of all of the cataclysmic change and choice going on, we see the heart of a willing worker of God. She simply surrendered to God’s will and whim. This is the essential directive of the one who chooses to be both effective and significant in this life for King Jesus.
As a result of such a commitment to the character of God, Mary’s trust brought her face-to-face with the reality of God’s goodness: Blessing. From the earliest days of history, God’s character on this matter is clear. To Cain, the child of Adam and Eve, God said, “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”(Genesis 4:7, HCSB)
And so He says to us: I will bless you if you will but obey me. This reward, this motivation, should pulse in our chests with every beat of our heart. God will do good for us if we will but trust Him enough to obey Him on the spot.
Today, whatever the difficulty, whatever the criticism, stand firm in your trust of the Lord Jesus. Despite the pain of the present, there will always be the fulfillment in the future of all He has promised!
Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realities of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader. He welcomes your comments below.
