A faithful servant. A humble handmaid. A vessel of God’s grace. A model for the impossible. Mary, the mother of Jesus, checks all the boxes for us. In her gentle manner and meditative soul, she works with God’s plan for our redemption.

 
From Mary’s magnificat in Luke 1:46-55, we know that she truly believes God keeps His promises. She knew the saga of the Israelites, and she believed God’s promise to rescue her people. What she never dreamed was the part she would be asked to play in that plan. But she waited like her ancestors before her. And her heart was ready when it was God’s time for the plan to unfold. The incarnation of Jesus within Mary’s body was the Father doing the impossible. But it took her yes, and it certainly required deep faith. Mary actuates in her life two vital actions needed to labor with God in doing the impossible in our lives, too:

 
Cooperate with His grace: The angel Gabriel arrived with a glorious announcement and declared Mary full of grace. However, she had to say yes and cooperate with the available grace that God had given her. There will certainly be times that God responds to the questions of our searching, pleading hearts with an answer, a plan. The grace is there, within our grasp. We must also say yes, without delay. Grab the grace--your strength for the journey.

Cling to His promises: Every Word of God can birth a promise in our hearts. Mary clung to the promises of old, a sure Word for her people and a mainstay for her journey. Find the promises you need to fuel your next steps, and hold on tight. Possess the promise—it’s your guide to the goal.

 
God will never leave or forsake you. He was both within and surrounding Mary, until the promise was delivered. He will do the same for you--the impossible!