How Will This Be?
Perhaps, like me, you have had an idea, a desire, a dream, or a vision deep in your heart, yet the “how to make it happen” left you wanting. We pray: “Lord, how will this be?”
Those were Mary’s words. In Luke one, we read that Gabriel gave a “birth announcement” to Mary. He told her that she would conceive a child. Then she asked that question: “How can this be. I am a virgin?” Gabriel replied “‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will OVERSHADOW you.'” (Luke 1:35)
We can only imagine the doubt that must have bombarded her mind: “How can I have a baby without a man?” Her natural mind, of course, wondered the “how”. My “hows” pale in comparison to Mary’s “how”.
After Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she will be OVERSHADOWED, she didn’t reply with, “I don’t see how that can happen.” No, she made a statement of faith. “Be it unto me even as you have said.” In other words, I’m in agreement. Let it happen. If God says I’m highly favored, I believe it. If God says the impossible is going to happen, I believe it.
There is a place of peace and comfort when we understand being overshadowed by God. Mary found that peace. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the SHADOW of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
Have you ever had such sweet and tender prayer times with God and you sensed His presence so intensely? You thought you could reach out and touch Him? I have. That is the Holy Spirit Who Jesus promised to send to us when He went to heaven.
Aw! That’s the “overshadowed” I want to experience. The fullness of God. When we are overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, this world will become distant to us. Remember this old hymn? “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
And, my dear friends and family, that is the bandwagon to get on when God puts a promise in our hearts. Instead of trying to reason it out, we simply trust that what He said, He will do.
Maybe you are dealing with health issues. You declare: “I believe I am going to be healed, but how?” Or you may be questioning your dreams for the future and asking: “HOW can I accomplish my dreams?” And my answer is the same as Gabriel’s words to Mary: “Mary, here’s how it’s going to happen. The power of the Most High is going to come upon you and overshadow you.” In other words, God is going to breathe in your direction, and supernatural things are going to happen.
The Most High God, the Great I Am, the Creator of the universe is going to overshadow us. When God overshadows us, miracles happen. Supernatural opportunities come our way. Family members that were off course will suddenly turn around. Problems that looked permanent will turn out to be only temporary, and we will see miracles come to pass!
Maybe if we’ll allow ourselves to be taken up with the beauty found in this sacred season of Christmas, we’ll become overshadowed with His presence more than anything else.
Today, like Mary, may we get into agreement with God’s Word and receive His promises. Holy Spirit, welcome! Please overshadow us right here; right now. We declare Mary’s acceptance speech, too! “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me according to Your word.”