I believe one of God's greatest gifts to us is free will, the power to decide between this or that, to act and speak (or not), and whether (or not) to explore various opportunities life presents to us.
Yesterday, for many Christian denominations, was the feast of the Annunciation, where the archangel Gabriel presented Mary with God's wish--to conceive and bear His son--and Mary affirmed it.
Like Eve before her, Mary could have chosen differently. Unlike Eve, Mary's choice brought life, not death, to generations. She based her decision less on personal comfort ("Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed." Luke 2:35), but on the potential benefit to everyone else.
And she said, "Yes," without hesitation, but it was not the impetuous "Yes" of rushing into a thrilling moment--such as Melissa quickly agreeing to a blood bargain with a vampire--but one where she immediately saw and comprehended the full consequences of her fiat.
Now, I have enough conscience that I rarely make completely selfish decisions, ones with no regard for another, but I definitely can see myself saying, "Hey, can I get a few opinions and sleep on it?"
No, Mary's way is not the method of the masses.
Certainly, if we can envision positive outcomes--for us--in a particular situation, we might be apt to select it. A wiser, perhaps more mature individual, would also consider the needs of loved ones or those for whom he is responsbile before moving in a direction.
Yet, how often do we truly turn our feet onto a challenging, and perhaps heartbreaking, laborious road, fully realizing we personally might not benefit, ever? Or pursue (or relinquish) something personally important to us, because it is not in the best interests of another, even if that person doesn't realize it?
Honestly, I'm not a fan of sword-piercings (OUCH!). Mary had some guts. And without realizing, she left us a hefty measuring stick, something to ponder the next time we're floundering at the crossroads.
Yesterday, for many Christian denominations, was the feast of the Annunciation, where the archangel Gabriel presented Mary with God's wish--to conceive and bear His son--and Mary affirmed it.
Like Eve before her, Mary could have chosen differently. Unlike Eve, Mary's choice brought life, not death, to generations. She based her decision less on personal comfort ("Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed." Luke 2:35), but on the potential benefit to everyone else.
And she said, "Yes," without hesitation, but it was not the impetuous "Yes" of rushing into a thrilling moment--such as Melissa quickly agreeing to a blood bargain with a vampire--but one where she immediately saw and comprehended the full consequences of her fiat.
Now, I have enough conscience that I rarely make completely selfish decisions, ones with no regard for another, but I definitely can see myself saying, "Hey, can I get a few opinions and sleep on it?"
No, Mary's way is not the method of the masses.
Certainly, if we can envision positive outcomes--for us--in a particular situation, we might be apt to select it. A wiser, perhaps more mature individual, would also consider the needs of loved ones or those for whom he is responsbile before moving in a direction.
Yet, how often do we truly turn our feet onto a challenging, and perhaps heartbreaking, laborious road, fully realizing we personally might not benefit, ever? Or pursue (or relinquish) something personally important to us, because it is not in the best interests of another, even if that person doesn't realize it?
Honestly, I'm not a fan of sword-piercings (OUCH!). Mary had some guts. And without realizing, she left us a hefty measuring stick, something to ponder the next time we're floundering at the crossroads.
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