Mary's Reminder: Encounter with an Angel

December 07, 2011 by Robert Crosby

Continued from Page 1

"The Lord is far away from you!" Have you heard that one whispered in your mind before? The Dream Killer also knows that if God is distant in your thinking, than the dream will be distant, as well. If God is out of reach, so will be the dream he has given you. He will try hard to get you to believe the lie that God is far away from you.

"The Lord is overlooking you!" Have you felt that way before? Recently? Perhaps the toughest knot to get unwound in our souls is self-pity. This happens when we have our eyes more on what God is doing for others than we do on God himself. We are more riveted on our circumstances than on his character. When the God-given dream seems delayed, we are instantly tempted to look at others who seem to be experiencing "dreams come true." And, as we make the mistake of comparing ourselves (and our stories) to others discouragement rushes in and diminishes our hopes. And a doubtful view of God destroys our faith.

Dreams are important; that's for sure. A God-given dream is significant in his eyes, and should be in our eyes as well. And yet, there is something more important to him than the dream, or vision, he wants to fulfill through my life and yours. It was so important that it was the first "news release" the angel proclaimed to Mary that day. No, the first order of business was not the dream, or the vision, or even the plan God was revealing. The first thing out of the angel's mouth after he said "hello" was not about an assignment or new mission; it was about a relationship.

Not Mary's responsibility to the world, but God's relationship with her. Before he called upon her to do anything*,* he first wanted to remind her that he was with her. That in itself is miraculous. That alone is a dream come true, the best of all dreams, is it not?

On this day, before the "dream" (i.e., the Christ child) would ever take its first breath, Mary needed to know this: "The Lord is with you!" A God-given dream can be shocking and surprising. But there is one thing much more amazing. The God of dreams and visions wants to share in a relationship with you.

And that is the greatest dream of all.

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12/7/2011 5:00:00 AM

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About Robert Crosby

Robert Crosby is an author and Professor of Practical Theology at Southeastern University. Read his interview with Bobby Gruenewald, the Founder of YouVersion.com (the Bible App) and related articles at Christianity Today, The New Engagers and The Social Network Gospel. Robert Crosby is the author of the new book, The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration (Abingdon Press).

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