Highly Favored & Greatly Troubled

It’s a great comfort to me to know that these two realities can coexist.

We can have God’s favor and be simultaneously troubled. This is how the Christmas story actually begins— 

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this may be.

Luke 1:28-29 | NIV

The angel and the message the angel brought to Mary was frightening and troubling yet the Lord’s favor was all over Mary.

It’s simply because God knew, despite her fears, Mary’s obedience would be unchanged.

God knew at the end of the day, despite the call to leave her family, despite the mockery and false accusations, despite the weight and perpetual fear that would surround her protecting and raising the infant Son of Heaven, that Mary would still choose to walk in accordance with the will of God.

God knew her fixed position would be, 

“I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Luke 1:38 | NIV

I know my calling in ministry has, at times, been “greatly troubling”. I’m no stranger to deep fear and joy isn’t always readily available to me. But if I look over the course of my life and my ministry, I can’t help but see the favor of the Lord has still been present. At the very least, His presence has always brought me favor. 

We don’t always have to wear the smile to carry His calling. We don’t always have to walk forward with zero doubts. We don’t always have to feel the highest of highs.

But we do have to answer the call.

And will we, like Mary, be known by God as those who will serve in the face of trouble?

If so, perhaps that’s all His favor requires.