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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Jump In With Both Feet (11/28/19)
Sweet Mary. What an example of trust and faith in God. She must have known the Old Testament prophesies, and along with her family, longed for the promised Messiah. But I don’t think she expected to be the Chosen Vessel through whom the promise came. After all, she was from a tiny rural village far from Bethlehem, and her family was of lowly means. Yet she was quick to say, “May it be to me as you have said.”

The encounter with the angel is told in just a dozen verses in Scripture. What were Mary’s thoughts, and what did she feel? When approached by an angel Zechariah was ‘gripped with fear’, and the rugged shepherds were ‘terrified’. Yet she was quick to embrace the angel’s message.

Her sensible question of “how will this be, since I am a virgin” was explained in just a couple of sentences. Would she have so quickly said, “May it be to me as you have said,” if she had taken time to think it through?

When did thoughts of the shame of an unwed pregnancy cross her mind? Shortly after the angel left, or when she thought about how she would tell the one she was betrothed to? Or was it the first time she missed her cycle? How soon did she share the news with her mother?

Mary’s trust and faith in Almighty God enabled her to jump into His plan with both feet. And she is an inspiration to me.

Impetuous Peter. How quickly he dropped the fishing nets and began following Jesus all over the country. Would he have been so quick to jump if he had known how much time he would be away from his family, or had he known what kind of kingdom Jesus was talking about, or if he had had any inkling of what death he would endure? And how about the walking on water incident? There must have been other disciples that would have liked to walk on water, but it was Peter who eagerly took the step over the side of the boat. Upon hearing that Jesus was alive following the Crucifixion, Peter immediately ran all the way to the tomb. No time to ask questions. And then at Pentecost he jumped in with both feet and preached a powerful sermon that saw three thousand souls added to the the number of Believers that day! I am thankful for his impetuousness as well.

Me? How quick do I act when God ‘speaks’ or plants His instructions in my heart? Am I as eager to jump in with both feet without knowing every detail? Can I eagerly say, “May it be to me as you have said”? Mary and Peter—two great examples for me to embrace.


NIV
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This article has been read 811 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
12/06/19
Good use of illustrations for the topic.
Marilyn Borga 
12/07/19
Good writing, and it is perfect for the topic. We should all ask ourselves these questions!
Jenny Fulton 
12/07/19
Good, contemplative questions with a relevant and challenging application.
susan furst
12/10/19
I really enjoyed your piece. It was well thought out, with scripture references, and well written. Also I think you captured Mary's and Peter's personalities and dilemmas. One thing I might have left out is referencing "jumping in with both feet," within your story. You did a good job of showing that instead of actually telling it. Either way it was a good story and I enjoyed reading it!
Laurie Glass 
12/14/19
Congrats on your EC! :)