BE BRAVE-NOT AFRAID

BE BRAVE-NOT AFRAID Many people-RESPOND with fear When they encounter something Of God-that is REAL In today's world I am AMAZED by the Humility and KINDNESS that the angel-Gabriel Showed to Mary-when he appeared To her “'Do NOT be afraid-Mary- For you have found FAVOR With God,” said the angel-Gabriel Luke 1:30 I often WONDER Why people respond with fear When they encounter God WHY would we react that way When we know God LOVES US Infinitely and UNCONDITIONALLY? I wonder too about Mary- The young teenager and the BRAVENESS She responded with She must have been terrified MAYBE she even thought She was seeing things I too have felt That I have been TOUCHED by God CALLED by God for a SPECIAL PURPOSE A little bit overwhelming-perhaps But the BEST that we can do- Is respond like Mary-and be BRAVE- And ACCEPT the CALLING by God And to the Lord BE BRAVE-not afraid LIVE with a strong and a COURAGEOUS HEART “The Lord gave this command To Joshua-son of Nun: 'Be strong and courageous For you will bring The Israelites into the land I PROMISED them by oath And I myself Will be WITH YOU'” Deuteronomy 31:23 “BE on your guard Stand FIRM in the faith Be courageous-be strong Do EVERYTHING in love” 1 Corinthians 16:13 And that is EXACTLY what The young teenager Mary was: STRONG and COURAGEOUS-and of course- She did EVERYTHING in LOVE In face she RAISED the perfect man- And SON of God-her son=Jesus She responded to the ANGEL Gabriel “MAY it be done to me” Luke 1:38 THEN the angel left her Mary was TOUCHED BY GOD Yet she was brave and courageous- Never afraid-like so many of us Are today As I mentioned-I too FEEL Like I was called by God For a specific REASON Maybe someday You will FEEL that way too In fact-I KNOW We have ALL been CALLED by God In one way or another At this particular time In history-in this world “And you also ARE among the Gentiles Who are called To BELONG to Jesus Christ” Romans 1:6 “And those he PRESDESTINED He also called Those he called HE also justified Those he justified- He GLORIFIED” Romans 8:30 Mary was CALLED-by God Through the ANGEL-GABRIEL As a teenager-she must have Been terrified Yet she RESPONDED when called upon By the Lord What ADMIRATION I have For this young girl- Who GREW into the Mother of God May we ALL be BLESSED- And respond in such a BRAVE MANNER When and IF We are called by God In Jesus' name Robert P. Wallman 12-19-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Aileen O'Donoghue