There is so much in life we don’t know and we don’t understand. When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and given the momentous news that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and she would conceive a baby who would be the Saviour of the world, her response was one of amazed obedience: ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ (Luke 1:38) I think it’s highly doubtful she fully understood what she was being told, but she was prepared to trust.
Understanding is often seen as the goal. When we are surrounded by mysterious circumstances, when we cannot see the future, when heartache hits like a hurricane and we are swept off our feet, we want to understand. Often, we are simply incapable of understanding. But God tells us we can trust and obey, even when we don’t understand. As today’s song reminds us of the truths behind that angelic announcement, as it has the advantage of looking back on the life of Jesus with the benefit of hindsight, we need to remember that God is working all things together for good, even when we don’t see how that possibly be the case or how that can happen.
‘Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.’ (‘Mary, Did You Know?’, Jeremy Camp)