For nothing shall be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord..
Luke 1:37-38
What is a handmaid? In Hebrew, there is a word: "shiphchah" that handmaid is used to translate, and it can be defined in English as a subservient partner. There is an implied humility and respect, but that partnership makes me think of a more active role, as opposed to a "slave" who would be subject to the master's whims. Surely, Mary was prepared for this moment for she followed God's will perfectly. Can we perfect our way of following God's will and His plan for us? Do we look at ourselves as being an active partner in finding our calling, or do we go about business and look to God only to get us out of trouble or grant us some kind of "good luck" blessing? Those things are important in our prayer life for sure, but our prayer doesn't end there. What if we took a more active role in really asking in prayer where we should be, and how we can find our true calling in the midst of our everyday distractions?
I will recommit personally today to my Lenten fast because I have a peculiar habit of modifying it every week or so in order to accommodate that weeks' turn of events. I thought about keeping a journal because that is a good way to recommit each day. By looking back, at the day and even the week, I can see what happened, and how I reacted, and that will help me plan ahead and prepare for another day when a similar setting may happen. Like Mary, I'd like to be a more active participant in my spiritual life and add more than a "honey-do" list of items I'd like for God to "do" for me.
