The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
_{Luke 1:27-28 NIV}

I don’t believe she’s much different than you or me. She was a girl of faith, soon to be married, ready to begin the next phase in life. In a flash her life changed with the angelic visitation. The Word says, “Mary was deeply troubled… bewildered over what this may mean for her.”

I get it. Because in the last five years I’ve heard God whisper, Do not be afraid, when life changed in the span of a few hours. I’ve been bewildered by the circumstances around me and how in the world it is for my good, for the good of those I love. There were times I wanted more understanding, more clarity, more control. What I got was an invitation to surrender more.

Favored.
It means “a token of love, special privilege, gracious kindness.”

I wonder if she felt loved in the dark hours after the angel departed. Did she feel special? Did she wonder how this news was gracious or kind when those she loved the most might be devastated or walk away? This is what “favored” looked like for Mary. It didn’t equal easy, or safe, or prosperous. It turned her world upside down in every single way. She was troubled and bewildered over what it all meant for her. And even though she would suffer, she chose surrender.

“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.“
_{Luke 1:38 NLT}

Oh favored one, you too can choose. I wish I could say it will be easy. That you’ll understand it all. I would love to sugarcoat surrender in a “happily ever after” ending. Happy is not the point. Love is.

A love so deep
so wide
so high
so low
so expansive that not one thing can change it.

Not your sin
your trouble
your past
or present.

Not what you feel
or how you act
Not when you say yes
or when you say no.

Love came down at Christmas that we might know we are favored and nothing,
not. one. thing.
can separate us from Love.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
_{Romans 8:38-39 NIV}