Today’s verse: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea…(to touch the pregnant Elizabeth and confirm what the angel had told her.)” (Luke 1:38,39) (addition mine.) (NIV)
Can’t you envision Mary running to her bedroom dresser, throwing open the drawers, and hurriedly packing handfuls of clothes into her suitcase? Gabriel had just given her a sign to confirm that she wasn’t hallucinating. I’d run to the sign to.
Gabriel’s visit to Mary is probably one of the most cherished scenes in the Bible. I like to visualize it. It’s fun watching Mary get ready for her trip. But a dig into the ancient text reveals a better scene than the one I’ve conjured up in my modern mind.
The Greek word translated as got ready in the NIV is anestemi. It comes from the root words: ana (again), and histemi (stand). So it means to stand again. (Key-Word Study Bible)
The new understanding of this word changes the motion picture. Mary is no longer packing her bag when Gabriel departs, but she gets up from her knees, standing again.
I don’t know if she took time to prepare for her trip.
But I do know that the humble Mary was on her knees when she accepted the assignment to be the mother of the Messiah. What does that tell you about her?
This week we started a 30 day knee challenge.
For the next 30 days our knees are hitting the carpet in prayer before we make the coffee or check our Facebook feed. I believe this challenge will be life changing for all of us participating.
Do you want to find purpose beyond yourself? Do you want to be used by God for the Kingdom? Are you stressed and worried, lonely or sad?
Do what Mary did.
Everyday.
And then after a few minutes humbled before God, ask what He wants you to do for the day, ask for Him to order the day, then anestemi.
Get up… and run!
With Joy,
andy
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