Luke 1:35-37, “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.'”
Several years ago, I walked into a hospital room to hear the news that my son David would not be able to play college baseball. The doctor, a renown shoulder specialist, gave no options. His athletic career was over.
It wasn’t the first time. It’s happened to me before. As a pastor, I’ve heard many announcements over the years. Announcements that come with no options. I’ve held the hand of a grieving mother when the police officer delivers the news that her child has been killed.
I’ve heard announcements like :
“You are no longer needed for this job.”
“The cancer is inoperable.”
“We were finally having a baby!”
“Your home is destroyed by fire.”
“My son is leaving for Afghanistan.”
“I’m getting married.”
Announcements come to us in many ways, but none in such a way as Mary. There wasn’t a diagram. No explanation as to how God would impregnate her. No details of the road ahead. Simply, you will be overshadowed…
As for me, I like options. At any given time, I usually have a Plan A and a Plan B. Sometimes I add a Plan C. If it rains, we will take the concert inside. If the parking lot is too full, we will park across the street. If the kids don’t come home for Christmas, we’ll take a cruise. I also like questions that I can answer. “Mike, are you good with this decision?” “Mike, what do you want to do?”
But not for Mary.
Gabriel didn’t ask her how she felt about becoming a mother. He didn’t ask how Joseph would take the news. He didn’t even offer to chat with her folks about it and smooth things over.
Most of the time, life’s announcements leave little room for explanation or options. It is these times in life that we must believe God will overshadow us.
Psalm 36:7, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
Isaiah 49:2, “He made my mouth like a sharp sword, and in the shadow of His hand, He hid me…”
Psalm 57:1, “And in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge.”
Psalm 91:4, “And under his wings you may seek refuge. His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”
Time after time, God reminds us of His shadow of protection; yet, when the announcements come, how many of us run for the refuge, the shadow, the protection God offers freely?
No matter what you face today, God will protect you. He only asks that we step into the shadow of His protection.
“For nothing is impossible with God.”
