One Girl. 

  
Written by: Breanne Pierce

One girl’s willingness changed the world.  
Woah. One girl? Yes, one young teenage girl’s humble willingness over two thousand years ago changed the course of history. Her servant heart affects our lives even today. Though Mary is not the Saviour of the world, she played a critical role in God’s plan to save us. She was the one God used through which to send His Son to earth as a baby. God asked a big task of this young girl but He believed in her. He CHOSE her. Wow, wouldn’t you like to be specifically called by God like that? If so, I have incredible news for you.

You are.

You, dear friend, are called by God for a specific purpose. Get excited; He has chosen YOU! He has plans for you and your willingness can change the world, too. Matthew 22:14 (NLT) says, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Though God has placed a call on each of our lives, the chosen are the ones that are willing. Our own response determines whether we are “chosen” or not. God never forces our actions.

Let me warn you that choosing to accept God’s call may be scary. But even more certainly, let me assure you that it will be worth it. It is always worth it to take a step that could bring someone else to salvation. Mary’s assignment was no easy one. Though she conceived the Son of God as a virgin, she risked being stoned to death by people who did not believe this story. Did I mention she was only a young teenager? And imagine, after getting through the pregnancy, she had to raise Jesus; the only perfect human; as her son. An undoubtedly daunting task, no matter what age you are. At times I identify with Mary and feel incredibly inspired by her. I want to have her willing heart! I am a missionary and have been feeling God’s call to go, in the future, to a certain place. This is a potentially quite dangerous place where Christians are persecuted and life is difficult. Could I actually do this? Do I have the courage to knowingly put my life in danger? Would I have the strength to continue to bless my Lord through persecution? These are difficult questions to ask. I want to be like Mary, like Paul, like Daniel, and many others throughout history who have stood strong for their faith. I want to be willing to suffer greatly for God’s Kingdom; all the while deeming it a privilege to suffer alongside Christ.

Philippians 1:29 (NLT): For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

The truth is, not I, nor these Biblical characters, nor has anyone throughout history faced trials or persecution for their faith in their own strength. The only way they were able to get through those circumstances was through the strength that the Lord gave them.

Though God may not be asking you to travel across the world to a dangerous place, He may ask you to do something that is just as far out of your comfort zone. Are you willing? My prayer is that, when you are faced with a situation where you need to step out of your realm of comfort for Christ, that you will remember Mary. Her willingness changed the world. Will yours?

Francesca Battistelli: “Be Born In Me (MARY)”
  
Breanne is an 18 year old missionary who loves Jesus with all her heart. She is the prayer team leader at Uniquely Yours Ministries and is so excited about what God is doing through UYM. Breanne has almost completed her ECE diploma through St. Lawrence College and is leaving soon to spend a year on the mission field in Central America. She feels that God has some exciting, though extremely difficult things in store for her but she is confident that He will always bring her through. While she is still here in Canada, she is often found working hard at school assignments, singing to Jesus/leading worship, reminding herself that she is almost done school, or cooking up either some crazy-delicious international foods or equally delicious hippie, rabbit-food snack. This is her verse:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8 NIV