Kodiak, Alaska Baptist Church

Luke 1 records the narrative of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary affirming her identity, “Greetings, O favored one” (verse 28). Favored one — greatly loved one.

Gabriel uses the same word, favor, to communicate her standing with God as he introduced her to God’s plan. (verse 30).

God’s words to Mary through Gabriel offered her an opportunity to trust.
God offered Mary an opportunity to know Him better.
God trusted her to live with expectancy.
It might be called an Advent-sized opportunity.

Mary responded in trust first affirming her identity in her words, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord;” (verse 38)
Then she responded with expectancy — not knowing what this meant for her, for us. “Let it be to me according to your word.” (verse 38)

Because Mary knew her identity, she had courage to trust what seemed impossible.

I’ve been there. I bet you have too.

Twice this month, two friends told me of their breast cancer. Lisa is about my age. I’m so sorry this is part of her story. I’m praying for her as she faces surgery right before Christmas.

Carrie could be my daughter age-wise. I’m so sorry this is part of her story. I’m praying for her as well as she starts chemo soon after Christmas.

Lisa and Carrie are both greatly loved by God. Both know their identities. Both are walking forward trusting God who entrusted them with this big hard.

“And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28

There is so much comfort in this familiar truth. Notice:

1. “And we know …” Between Romans 8:18-28, the word know surfaces three times. We know — not we think — we know. Our trust rests in the trustworthiness of God.
2. God is at work. He is not sitting passively by wondering how we respond to life.
3. God is at work in all things. It doesn’t communicate all things are good.
4. God is at work for good. He is accomplishing his purposes even in our hards.

Like Mary, Lisa and Carrie have found favor with God. They know their identity; they know whose they are. This gives them courage to trust God with their realities.

Like Mary, Lisa and Carrie are living with the expectancy of experiencing the truth of Romans 8:28. As their friend, I can do no less.

Cancer is their Advent-sized opportunity.

“Rather than expectations, I’ve learned to maintain expectancy,
which is a sense of awe at the divine-human encounter.”
Craig Barnes, Diary of a Pastor’s Soul

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2023