“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most Hight will overshadow you.”
Luke 1:35
Ever since reading Mary’s story a few days ago, I haven’t been able to get the idea out of my mind that what God did was an invasion. The Holy Spirit coming upon her is a complete invasion of her life: body, mind, heart and spirit. And from what we are told, she is not given a choice about it. She is not consulted. She is not asked: “Would it be okay with you if … ?” This would be outrageous if God was not who He is: “Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen.”* He is a mind reader and a heart reader. And I have no doubt He knew full well what Mary would say if He had asked her first. It’s the very reason she “found favor” with Him.
“May your word to me be fulfilled”
Luke 1:38.
He knew she would say “yes”; she would consent, submit, surrender. Consent is a huge part of our spiritual development. Without it, the Lord limits the work He does in our lives for He honors our free will. Without our consent, we limit how much of His transforming power can be active in our lives. So, we must ask ourselves: have we, do we, consent to His action, His will? If we want His favor over our lives, then we must.
It is telling that the Lord’s prayer includes words of consent:
“Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done”
Matthew 6:10
It implies, I believe, the need on our part to give it often. And I readily admit I need to say these words daily, for I am aware that every time I do, they initiate a shift in me. This shift reveals that already I have strayed off course, in my mind and heart, that I am once again caught up in my own plans and need to realign my desires and intentions with Him. I also know that if I say these words, “Thy will be done” and I feel dull, disconnected, distracted, unfocused, then most likely it is resistance or self-will, not submission, that is active within me.
As a therapist, I have watched many times how subtle shifts in mind and heart forecast where someone is headed. The more someone seeks and trusts the work of the Almighty the richer, deeper the transformation. If you long to be caught up in the work of God, be not afraid, and whisper throughout your days, “Thy will be done”. Good things will come.
*This is from the Nicene Creed as it was spoken when I was growing up in my church.