Luke 1:38
Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
“Here am I.”
There is an openness in those three simple words, a complete availability, that is simply breathtaking. The rest of this Mary’s famous response flows from these three words. I am your servant; let it be to me according to your word. This all stems from Mary’s complete and utter openness.
This, too, has biblical precedent. Isaiah says the same (Is. 6:8), as does Samuel (1 Sam. 3). “Here am I” …at your disposal, open to your spirit, ready to become the person you see and need, available to you.
Mary doesn’t just give her consent; nor does she submit passively to the work of the Lord. She is an active, willing participant. With these three simple words she commits herself, her future and her fortunes, to the Lord.
We are often asked to do the same. It may not be as dramatic, and it may not immediately be clear that it is the Lord who is asking. It may be a friend who needs someone to talk to, a partner who needs support, a child who wants our time, a neighbor who can use a hand, a stranger in need. In these moments we are also asked not just to give our consent but to be active, willing participants in the work of the Lord in someone’s life.
Which is not always easy. Life is full of so many demands, so many obligations and opportunities, that they often threaten to drown out the quiet summons of the Lord in the petitions and needs of those around us.
What if, in those moments, our prayer is simply to be open, to hear the call and answer with three simple words?
“Here am I.”
Prayer: Dear God, grant us ears to hear your still, small voice in the needs of those around us and hearts to respond with a willing and generous spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Recent Comments