Chosen For Purpose | Luke 1:26-29

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Mary to be chosen by God? Merry Christmas, Vince Miller here. Today's text is from Luke 1:26-29. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. — Luke 1:26-29 Six months after Elizabeth had conceived, Gabriel made another visit. This time, he visits Mary. And here are some facts to note about Mary. She was poor. She was a Jew. She was a virgin. She was of the ancestry of King David. She was engaged to a boy named Joseph. She was from the small town of Nazareth. She was a cousin to Elizabeth. She was about 80 miles north of Elizabeth. She conceived at around 14-16 years of age, much younger than Elizabeth. This time, Gabriel appears to someone very different. It's not an old fatherless man who was a priest in the temple. It's a young virgin woman God has chosen to give birth to his son—Mary. And it sounds like this moment troubled Mary. But it doesn't seem to be the appearance of Gabriel that concerns her, but his greeting. Gabriel calls Mary the "favored one." And at present, she has no idea why. Her response shows us the reason that she was chosen. It brings attention to her remarkable humility. Even though she was chosen to bear the greatest of all men ever to live, Mary was remarkably humble from his inception to resurrection. Not once do we read of even a hint of arrogance. Therefore, she was chosen by God. And who does not want to be chosen by God? But here's the deal. If you believe in Jesus, and he is your Savior and Lord, then you have been chosen by God. To be chosen is to be set aside as God's special possession for a higher purpose. Each one of us who are believers has been chosen for a particular time and a special task based on the talents God has given to us. These talents were given to us from birth, and now, as a chosen believer, God wants to reveal these talents in a new and supernatural way. He wants to use you as a vessel for his treasure, showing Jesus in and through you. For Mary, it was her humility, among many other things. For King David, it was his heart. For Paul, it was his endurance. For Abraham, it was his faith. But why has God chosen you? There is a reason. What is that God-given trait, talent, or treasure that God wants to use in you? Generosity? Integrity? Loyalty? Discipline? Love? Self-control? Or something else? And don't say nothing. God never chooses a nobody who does nothing. He chose you for a purpose. Today, name that one trait or talent, trace it back, and then forward. See the reason that he has chosen you for this season. Then, turn your attention to Jesus. Mary's son. He, too, was chosen. He was chosen to suffer so that we might know salvation and that salvation might be revealed through us. ASK THIS: Reflect on a time when you felt particularly chosen or called by God for a specific task or role. How did that experience shape your understanding of your God-given talents and purpose? Considering Mary's example of humility and obedience, what personal trait or talent do you believe God is calling you to use for His purpose in this season of your life? How can you actively cultivate and utilize this gift in service to others and to glorify God? DO THIS: Identify one trait or talent and trace it back and forward through your life. PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for choosing me for a unique purpose, just as You chose Mary. Help me to recognize and cultivate the talents You have given me so I may use them to glorify You and serve others in Your name. Amen. PLAY THIS: Son of Suffering. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller