How can it be?

How can it be?

A Christmas Walk of Faith Devotional by Dave Bunnell

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;”
–Luke 1:34-35a

Has God ever surprised you with His plan for your life? If you’ve walked with Him long, your answer is probably yes. For we serve a God so powerful that He is not in any way limited by our human shortcomings. He can accomplish difficult things — even IMPOSSIBLE things — through anyone He pleases. In fact, I think He delights in doing so.
Still, when He begins to place in our hearts His gentle voice’s call to take part in His plan for the world around us, it’s only natural for us to look at the enormity of His plan and say, “How can this be, God? I don’t have the qualifications. I don’t have the experience. I don’t have the ability. How could You possibly have a role for ME in your plan for the world? How could you possibly use a person like me? It would take a miracle.”
Mary knew what it was like to feel that way. She had just been taken completely by surprise. She had probably never even dreamed of what the Lord was planning to do through her life to bring about His perfect plan for the world. So it wasn’t just that an angel showed up to talk to her that made this moment surprising. It was the angel’s message itself.
When she heard that she was God’s choice among women to give birth to the Messiah, all she could respond with was, “How can this be?” It was no stupid question, either. Because God was telling her that something “completely impossible” was about to be done in her life. She had not yet been in a relationship that could lead to child-bearing, so it was logical for her to wonder how on earth that could happen.
The angel gave her the answer from God, and it was sufficient for her. How can this be? Well, Mary, it will happen because the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
When we begin to question God on how He will accomplish His will in our lives, we’re likely to hear that same answer from Him. “This ‘impossible’ task will be accomplished through you, because My Spirit is upon You, and all you are and all you do will be overshadowed by Me.”
So don’t be afraid to step out in faith, joining God in accomplishing His plan for the world. Just trust Him fully, leaving the details in His hands and knowing that His Spirit resting upon you will be all the help you need to see His purposes fulfilled.