Mary was a poor teenager in the obscure town of Nazareth. She had no reason to expect to lead an exceptional life. So when God’s angel said, “Rejoice, favored one! God is honoring you,” Luke said the words confused her. But with eyes that saw things human eyes could not, God chose her to become the mother who would miraculously bear the Messiah. The one all Israel was waiting to see. People in Mary’s day understood the basic human reproduction process as well or as poorly as we do. A virgin could NOT be pregnant. Yet Gabriel promised exactly that (verse 31). Of course, Mary was confused and puzzled at first. She didn’t try to hide her questions (verse 34), but she did listen trustingly to the angel’s answer. What doubts or struggles do you face today? Be open about them. Make them a subject to talk about honestly with God in prayer, and perhaps also with a pastor or other trusted person. Mary gave the angel a simple, powerful response: "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be with me just as you have said" (verse 38). Mary’s obedient humility, as a teenager with unanswered, unanswerable questions, was a compelling model of what it means to trust God in faith. What helps you to trust in God’s love and care in the midst of confusing or scary circumstances? When have you seen signs that "nothing is impossible with God" (verse 37)?

Prayer: Lord of all, many things I wish for are impossible on a human scale. Teach me how to trust your eternal power, which operates on an eternal scale and makes even the impossible possible. Amen.