Overshadowed
Have you ever felt less than, belittled, ridiculed, and forced into withdrawal because you were overshadowed by a sibling, friend, or co-worker? If that is you, then I have good news for you. Come out. Come out – wherever you are. You were not made for withdrawal.
Today I am going to flip the negative “overshadowed” script to a place of contentment, reassurance, hope and joy. That is being overshadowed by Holy Spirit’s presence. And Advent does that for me as I read the most unparalleled of all stories.
The part about Mary and the announcement by Gabriel that she would conceive a child is mind-blowing! An ANGEL? Gabriel? Of course, she asks: “How can this be since I am a virgin?” And Gabriel replies: “‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will OVERSHADOW you.'” Luke 1:35
I want that kind of being overshadowed. Well, certainly not to conceive a baby, but to hover in the presence of God. I start singing: “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.“
Sensing being overshadowed by Holy Spirit means I need to put aside my to-do list and spend time with Him.
Gabriel gave Mary the amazing news that she was going to give birth to the Son of God — without knowing a man. That’s not even believable in the natural. We can only imagine the doubt that must have bombarded her mind: “How can I have a baby without a man?”
My “How?” pales in comparison to Mary’s “How”. When Mary answered the angel back, with boldness 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.”
I want to be like that. If God says the impossible is going to happen, I better believe it. When God puts a promise in our heart, instead of trying to reason it out, we should be fully convinced that what He said, He will do.
You may have a “how” in your life right now. You may be thinking, “I believe I’m going to accomplish my dreams, but how am I going to do it?” “How am I going to get well?” “How am I going to overcome this addiction?” “How I am going to get THAT job?”
What the angel said to Mary is true for all of us. He said, “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.
How are we going to get well? The power of the Most High is going to come upon us. How are we going to accomplish our dreams? 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. Off-course family members suddenly turn around. Problems that looked permanent turn out to be only temporary and miracles come to pass.
Jesus said, “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Today, just like Mary, may we believe. Let’s get into agreement with God’s Word, receive His promises and obey His commands. Let’s get ready for God’s Spirit to OVERSHADOW us!