Living Out God’s Purpose: Mary’s Submission Leads to God’s Plan

Read Luke 1.26-56

What is your purpose? Has that question ever crossed your mind? The dictionary defines purpose as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” But when you think about your life, what gives it meaning?

Many of us spend a lot of time thinking about what we should be doing—what job we should have, who we should marry, what we should study, or how we can best serve. But often, we still feel uncertain. We wonder, “Am I in the right place? Am I fulfilling my true purpose?” Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in external achievements, whether it’s our career, relationships, or even our physical appearance, as if those things define our purpose.

As Christians, however, our true purpose is not found in any of these things. Our purpose is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Him, we are connected to God the Father, our Creator, who made us with intention and purpose.

Psalm 138:8 says, The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me; thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. This is a beautiful reminder that it is God who fulfills His purpose for us. Our purpose doesn’t depend on our career, our relationships, our education, or even our circumstances. These things are part of our lives, but they don’t define who we are or why we exist. Everything we have is a gift from God, and He can use all these things to bring glory to Himself. He is the one ordering our steps and leading us exactly where we need to be.

When we trust that God is fulfilling His purpose for us, we can let go of anxiety. We don’t need to worry about whether we’ve chosen the right job, or if we’re in the right ministry, or even if we’ve made the right life decisions. Romans 8:28 reminds us that, all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Even when things feel uncertain, God is at work. He is guiding us and leading us into His will, no matter how unclear the path might seem.

There will be times when trusting God feels harder than others. On some days, it will be easier to rest in His love and purpose for us. On other days, it may seem like our lives are spinning out of control. But remember, John 15:9-11 reminds us of this promise: ⁹ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. ¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

We don’t have to be stressed about finding our purpose or feeling like we’ve missed something. It all begins with knowing who we belong to. Our purpose is to live in relationship with God, to trust Him to fulfill His plan for our lives and ultimately submit to Him alone. When we feel lost or uncertain, we can take comfort in knowing that He is with us every step of the way. He will never leave us, and He is always working for our good.

True joy comes from abiding in Christ’s love, not from what we do or achieve. Our jobs, relationships, and accomplishments may bring temporary satisfaction, but only Jesus can give us lasting peace and fulfillment. Our purpose begins and ends in Him.

So, what can we do? We can start by prioritizing time with God. Spend time in prayer, seek wisdom from people who encourage you in the faith, and hold fast to the truth of God’s Word. Let’s stop worrying about whether we’re in the “right” job or the “right” season of life. God is in control. Everything will fall into place according to His perfect plan.

Even though we may not understand everything about God or His plans for us, we can trust that He knows us intimately. Psalm 139:23 says, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our dreams, our fears, our passions, and even our future. Let’s open our hearts to Him and allow Him to lead us.

As we move through this year, each of us will walk our own unique journey. We each have different purposes, but the one constant is our relationship with God. Don’t let the world’s standards of success distract you. Romans 12:2 urges us, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Our purpose is not defined by the world’s expectations but by God’s will.

As we set new goals for the year, let’s remember that our purpose is not tied to external achievements but to our relationship with Jesus. Let Him be the reason we are excited about the future. He is the reason we can have peace, knowing that He is in control and that our lives are in His hands.

This time of year is often reflective and thoughtful for many reasons. As we look forward to Christmas and the end of the year in the coming weeks, let’s focus on Him. Whether we reflect on the past year or look forward to the year ahead, let us look to Mary as the example of a purposeful life in submission to God’s Will for our lives.

Lets read Luke 1.26-56

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷For with God nothing shall be impossible.

³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

⁴⁰And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴²And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

⁵¹He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

⁵²He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

⁵⁴He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Look at the Angel Gabriel’s announcement in verse 28, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And then verse 30, And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Think about what kind of woman Mary must have been to have been “highly favoured” and “found favor with God”? What a life a service to God she must have led until she was told by God what her purpose would be? This moment in Mary’s life not only foreshadows key Christian teachings but also serves as a powerful inspiration for believers to embrace God’s plan for their lives. Mary had no way of knowing what God had in store for her, no doubt she knew that she would be mocked and shunned for the pregnancy while she was unmarried to Joseph. Joseph and Mary were in the process of getting married, but not married yet. A unwed pregnancy in ancient culture would have been scandalous and shameful. Mary (and Joseph) would have borne the brunt of the judgment and ridicule for years to come and would no doubt be considered outcasts in certain circles. However, Mary willingly submitted to God’s plan, long before it was revealed through the Angel Gabriel, and God would give her the grace to bare whatever was coming.

Notice Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel in verse 38 of Luke 1, And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. She identified herself as the handmaid of the Lord, a servant of the Lord, ready to do and take on all that would come, not only in the preceding months of pregnancy, but in the years that would follow Jesus birth. She doesn’t really question or ask for God to choose someone else. The only thing she questions is how she was to become pregnant, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Mary’s attitude and heart exemplifies humility, faith, and a profound acceptance of God’s will. Her words reflect a readiness to be molded by God’s word and a deep trust in His goodness and sovereignty. Mary’s example serves as a powerful model of how faith responds to God’s call and how one can humbly submit to His will. Some view her response as a reminder of the attitude we should adopt—one that says, “Whatever You (God) desire for my life, that is what I desire too.” Can we say that about ourselves? Mary’s life was one of faithful service to God, even though she couldn’t foresee where that service would ultimately lead. Despite the uncertainty, she remained steadfast in doing what was right and following God’s guidance.

Let us be Christians that strive to submit to God’s Will in our lives no matter what and follow the course that He has planned for us no matter the changes that come to the plans that we make ourselves. Her life was one of faithful service to God, even though she couldn’t foresee where that service would ultimately lead. Despite the uncertainty, she remained steadfast in doing what was right and following God’s guidance. Our purpose isn’t found in what the world has to offer but in the One who made us and called us to Himself. So as we reflect on the year that is closing and look forward to the year that is coming, let’s commit not to goals and resolutions, but to trust Him and submit to Him in all things, to guide us and fulfill His purpose in our lives. Let Romans 8.28 be a verse that we hold on to in the coming year and beyond, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to my Jael’s Journal readers!

Hospitality: a Christian calling

With Thanksgiving this week and Christmas just around the corner, many of us will find ourselves either hosting family and friends or being hosted by them. Whether we’re in the first camp or the second, there will likely be plenty of to-do lists as we prepare for the season ahead. For me, I know it will mean a lot of cooking and baking. The holiday season can often be hectic and rushed, and it’s easy to get caught up in all the things we have to do. But, in the midst of the busyness, we can miss out on what we are truly called to do as Christians. If we’re not careful, we may overlook opportunities to practice hospitality—the very thing we are commanded to do.

You might think that hospitality is just about entertaining. But I believe there’s a significant difference between the two. Entertaining focuses on the environment—the food, the decorations, the setting—while hospitality focuses on the people. Hospitality is more than just having a nice meal or a perfect setting; it’s about welcoming others into your life, offering them kindness, and making them feel valued.

Two definitions of hospitality that I found helpful are:

Being friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests.
Creating a generous, pleasant, and sustaining environment for others.

Hospitality is a calling. As Christians, it’s a way for us to show love and kindness, and a way to minister to others in practical, everyday ways.

Sometimes we can feel as though there are barriers to our hospitality. Perhaps you’re saying, “But Sarah, I don’t have a home of my own. How can I be hospitable?” Or maybe you’re saying, “I’ve never done this before. I wouldn’t even know where to start!” Or you might think, “I don’t have a nice place,” “I don’t have the space,” or “I’m too shy.”

If any of these sound familiar, my answer is simple: these are challenges that can be overcome with a little practice and a right attitude. Unlike entertaining, hospitality doesn’t require a perfect home or a flawless event. It’s about spending time with others—whether at home or outside your home. When you haven’t had the chance to clean or there’s many things to do, sometimes, it’s easier to meet at a café or park, and that’s perfectly fine! The key is that the focus of hospitality should never be on the environment, but on the person—on making them feel loved, seen, and cared for.

Hospitality is an opportunity to be Christ-like in the way we show love and care to others. Jesus didn’t have a permanent home, but that didn’t stop Him from serving others humbly wherever He was. He ate and fellowshipped with sinners, the poor, the sick, and the outcast. He modeled what true hospitality looks like: selfless, humble, and generous.

In the Bible, God commands us to be hospitable and provides us with countless examples of how to do so. Let’s look at some of the women in Scripture—though hospitality is for men as well. These women lived in different times, places, and circumstances, but they were all used by God to further His Kingdom through hospitality.

Rebekah: When Abraham’s servant came to her, she offered him water at the well—and even watered his camels. She then became the wife of Abraham’s son, Isaac.
Zipporah: She gave Moses water when he fled from Egypt, and her father, Jethro, offered Moses a place to stay and eventually Zipporah in marriage.
Naomi: Showed kindness to her daughter-in-law Ruth, despite their difficult circumstances and different heritage.
The Widow at Zarephath: Fed Elijah when she herself had very little flour and oil to feed herself and her son. Yet she did and even gave Elijah a place to lodge when he needed.
The Shunammite woman: Fed Elisha every time he passed through town and even built him a room in her home for rest.
Jael: Despite being an enemy of Israel, she offered Sisera, the Canaanite general, food and shelter. God used her hospitality to deliver Israel from oppression.
Esther: Hosted a banquet for King Xerxes, which eventually led to the salvation of her people.
Mary and Martha: Hosted Jesus in their home, offering Him rest and fellowship.
Lydia: Invited Paul to stay in her home after she was converted.
Priscilla and Aquila: Worked alongside Paul in ministry and opened their home to others.
Euodia and Syntyche: Women who ministered alongside Paul and were known for their service.

There are many more, but these women, each from different walks of life, showed hospitality in various forms—whether through offering a meal, a place to stay, or simply their time. In each case, their hospitality was used by God for the furtherance of His Kingdom. That’s the heart of hospitality—to share God’s love with others and create an environment where His Gospel can be heard and received.

Overcoming the Challenges of Hospitality

Hospitality can be challenging—it takes time, effort, and sometimes sacrifice. Maybe you’re busy, finances are tight, or you simply don’t have the energy. You might not be able to provide the lavish spread or the perfectly clean home you’d like. But that’s okay! We don’t need to meet our own expectations; we just need to do our best with what God has given us. Even if we’re not able to offer everything we’d like, our hearts should still be focused on the people we’re welcoming, not the setting.

Remember, hospitality doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s the small acts of kindness that make the biggest difference. Jesus’ ministry was full of small acts of love—like washing feet, eating with sinners, and spending time with the overlooked. His example reminds us that hospitality is about people, humility, and service, not perfection.

The Right Heart of Hospitality

It’s crucial that we approach hospitality with the right heart. As Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” Hospitality should come from a sincere desire to serve, not from a sense of obligation or duty. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we are told that God loves a cheerful giver. Likewise, hospitality should be given willingly and with joy, not begrudgingly. We are called to serve others in love, without complaint or pretense.

In Luke 10, Jesus gently rebukes Martha, who was so consumed with the details of hosting that she neglected the opportunity to sit and listen to Jesus. Jesus says to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed.” Our hospitality should never distract us from the true purpose of our gatherings: fellowship and ministry.

Practical Ways to Show Hospitality

Here are a few practical ways you can show hospitality:

Pray for someone: Text them, telling them you’re praying for them, and then actually pray.
Write a note: Send a “thank you” note or a simple “thinking of you” note. It doesn’t have to be long, but it will be a meaningful way to connect with someone.
Share a meal: Bring someone a homemade treat, a meal, or even just a little something from last night’s dinner.
Offer your time: Sometimes the greatest act of hospitality is simply offering your presence—whether that’s through a phone call, a coffee date, or a visit.
Welcome newcomers: If you see someone new in church or in your community, take a moment to introduce yourself and make them feel welcome.
Budget for hospitality: Set aside a small amount of money to invest in hospitality. It doesn’t have to be expensive—sometimes a small token or treat is enough.

Remember, hospitality doesn’t always mean hosting a dinner party. It’s about being intentional with your time and resources to make others feel valued and loved. It’s about creating a safe space where people can experience the love of Christ through you.

As we approach the holiday season, let’s remember that hospitality isn’t just a seasonal activity— as Christians, it’s a lifestyle. The world often prioritizes self, but hospitality requires selflessness. It challenges us to put others before ourselves, just as Christ did.

In Colossians 3:23-24, ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Here we are reminded that whatever we do, we should do it heartily, as to the Lord. This includes our acts of hospitality. Whether big or small, our service should be for His glory.

So, let’s take on the challenge of hospitality. Let’s make it a daily practice, not just in the coming weeks but year-round. Let’s offer the love of Christ to others, and in doing so, shine His light in a dark world.