Life often seems dependent on us – driving us to do more and take on increasing responsibilities as we pour ourselves out for others. But this leaves us exhausted as we try to generate power from our own strength. We don’t need more effort, but like Mary, to be overshadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary found favor with God and was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Yet God didn’t ask her to strive, do more, or try to prove herself worthy. She just had to consent to his power. The life conceived inside of her was God’s doing and not something she had to manufacture herself.
In the same way, we must also be overshadowed by God’s power to have any real life to offer to others. While there’s a time to initiate, act, and provide, this comes after we receive power from the Most High and allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us.
This allows us to offer our strength from a position of fullness and without the need to desperately prove ourselves or take on more than what is ours to own. There are still battles to fight and much good to advance in the world. But, as the Spirit lives in us, we are no longer wearing ourselves out, spread thin, and constantly disappointing others by trying to be a self-powered engine.
The good we accomplish is the result of Christ in us, and not what we can generate ourselves. This is not to become passive, but rather to humbly receive as Mary did – becoming the men who can carry life for others because of the Life that now lives in us.
In the end, you have found favor with God and he has chosen you to be his vessel to bring more life and goodness into the world. Will you surrender like Mary to be overshadowed by his power?
