Advent Devotional Week One: Chosen by God

The word ‘Advent’ means ‘arrival’ referring to the arrival or coming of Christ into the world over 2000 years ago. The advent season gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the significance of the birth of Christ.

Each week in the advent season points us to hope, peace, joy and love which embodies the heart of the gospel message of Christ. And as we celebrate the arrival of Christ and anticipate his return, may this season be an invitation into a deeper relationship with Jesus, our savior who died to save us and give us a new life filled with hope, possibilities and blessings.

Advent Devotional Week One: Chosen by God

Scripture:

Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” – Luke 1:30-31 NLT

Devotional Reflection:

Imagine being a young teenage girl alone in a room, and suddenly an angel which you have only read about in the bible appears before you with a life -altering message. This message from the mouth of the angel would change the entire course and direction of your life. Such was the experience of a young woman in the bible called Mary. And out of all the people in the world, God chose her to carry and birth the son of God and savior of the world.

Mary was not chosen by God because of her background, status or history. God chose her because he saw in her a willing and yielded vessel that he could use to accomplish his divine purpose on earth. Her story reminds us that God often chooses the unlikely, unqualified, forgotten and the overlooked to accomplish his divine purposes.

You have been chosen by God to carry and birth heavenly inspired dreams and ideas that will transform lives and add great value to humanity. God has chosen you to be his voice, hands and feet  to carry his message of hope, love and salvation to a broken world. Like Mary, you may feel unprepared, unqualified and inadequate, but remember that God equips those he calls and chooses.

Mary responded to God’s call not with fear and doubt but with a heart surrendered and full of faith. “Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). This advent season is an invitation to say ‘yes’ to God’s call and plan for your life. Look past your inadequacies, imperfections and qualifications and trust that God can use and work through you to accomplish his purposes here on earth.

Application:

1. Reflect : Mary said, ‘”Let it be to me according to your word.” Reflect for a moment on her response to God’s call. What is God calling you to do and start in this season of life? What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God?

2. Action: Write a statement of commitment of your response to God’s call or what he is telling you to do right now in your life, and paste it somewhere you can see every single day.

3. Encourage: Identify someone who needs encouragement in their faith journey and share with them how God can use anyone willing to say ‘yes’ to him.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for choosing Mary and pointing us to her story and role in your salvation plan for humanity. Give me a surrendered heart and make me a yielded vessel in your hands. Dear Lord, help me to say “yes” to your call and plan for my life. I refuse to shrink back in fear and doubt but will move forward in faith and trust in your plan. Use me to accomplish your desires and purposes here on earth in Jesus name. Amen!

Read also:

A Mother and a Saviour (A Poem)