WEEK 3: GIVE THANKS FOR LIFE / DAY 15: SUBMISSION
By Pastor Courtney Hall (Sun. Dec. 12, 2021)

Mary Patricia McCartney died of cancer in 1956, when her son Paul was only 14. Twelve years later, during a particularly trying time in his life, Paul had a dream about his departed mother Mary, in which she spoke “words of wisdom” to him. Deeply moved by the experience, Paul (who happened to be a founding member of the Beatles rock band) wrote a song about it. He titled the song with the words from his mother in the dream: "Let It Be."
Whatever one thinks of the song, for over 50 years, "Let It Be” has undeniably (and rather literally) struck a chord with people all over the world through its message of comfort for the brokenhearted, encouragement, and hope. It’s also true that the phrase “let it be” resonates directly with the signal attitude of spiritual submission which so marked the character of the young Mary chosen by God to bear the Savior Jesus into the world. When the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her so that life would be conceived in her womb, it must have been all but inconceivable to her understanding—especially since her Child would be the Son of God! And yet, she famously responded by faith, “let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Though God’s plan for her came as a shock & would demand a total submission of her life, her trust in God was so great that her response to Him was simply, “Let it be.”
Even when we can’t fully understand what God is doing in us, or why, we can still BELIEVE Him, embracing His purposes & submitting to His ways. When, like Mary, we say to God, “Your will be done,” He will bring new levels of His heavenly LIFE to bear in our earthly being. “For with God, nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
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SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 1:26-38
"'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, & the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God....For no word from God will ever fail.' 'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'Let it be done to me according to your word.' Then the angel left her."
(Excerpt above is vv.34-35, 37-38; cf. Matthew 6:9-10.)
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