The angel Gabriel had just disappeared, leaving her with God’s request.

Mary was left standing in the middle of the room, trembling after her encounter with God’s holy angel.

Steadying herself by grabbing a chair, she collapsed into it, wondering if she had imagined it all.

Gabriel had appeared to her, proclaiming God’s need for her to be the Lord’s earthly mother.

“How could I say no?” Mary thought. “I want to do whatever God wants me to do, but I’m scared. Really terrified, actually. What will people say? Will they believe me?”

Mary said yes to God.

She had no idea the ramifications of her acceptance into God’s will.

Her life was over as she knew it, but obeying God was more important to her than anything else.

Did she have periods of doubt?

Of course.

Did she have moments or even days of regret?

Probably.

She’s human.

Imagine yourself.

Imagine the whispers of your friends, the people you’ve grown up with your whole life.

“Did you know Mary’s pregnant? She’s not even married!”

Overhearing these comments would not sit well in her heart.

She probably cried as those pregnancy hormones raged.

And it probably never stopped.

The whispers.

The comments.

She was permanently labeled.

And not in a good way.

Mary could have listened to those lies, allowing them to define her.

But she knew they weren’t true.

All she had to do was look upon the face of God’s son Jesus, the sweet boy running around her house.

All she had to do was ask God to remind her of His purposes for her.

All she had to do was choose to believe God’s identity for her instead of the world’s.

How about you?

What identity do you embrace that is not from our loving God?

What whispered lies or comments do you bring into your heart, believing them instead of God’s truth?

Be like Mary.

Realize you will be talked about.

Realize you have no control over other people.

But realize once and for all Whose you are.

Straighten your crown and stand tall.

You are God’s beloved.

Chosen.

And deeply loved.

Photos by Sebastian Fröhlich, Josh Boot, Ander Burdain, & Seoyeon Choi on Unsplash