Luke 1 tells us the story of 2 different people receiving the same miracle of birth. First, Luke tells us about an old priest named Zechariah. Zechariah was married to Elizabeth, and they were a couple who “were upright in the sight of the God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” (Luke 1:6) But Elizabeth was barren. She never had children and now she and her husband were up in age.

On the day that it was Zechariah’s turn to serve in the temple, an angel appeared to him. He told Zechariah not to be afraid, God had heard his prayer and Elizabeth was going to have a son. Their son was the future John the Baptist! The angel began to reveal all the mighty things their son would do. Shocked and confused by the news, I’m sure, Zechariah asked, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (vr.18) To this, the angel revealed himself as Gabriel; that he stood in the presence of God and was sent to tell him this good news. (As in, “I know what I am talking about.”) For Zechariah’s disbelief, Gabriel took away his speech. He became mute and would not be able to talk until after his son was born.

Six months later, Gabriel was sent out again to Nazareth to a young, engaged to be married girl named, Mary. Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (vr.30) We know that Mary was to be the mother of our Savior Jesus, the one who would save us from our sins.
Also shocked and confused, Mary asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (vr.34) Gabriel said that they Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. (vr.35) In verse 37, Gabriel says, “For nothing is impossible with God.”

When I read this chapter this morning, I knew God was trying to tell me something. But what? God wants to birth within us a miracle, whether we have the resources or not to bring it forward. Conception and pregnancy are miracles within themselves, but it’s simple biology to know that you need an egg and a sperm (a man and a woman) to make a baby. Zechariah and Elizabeth had the physical means (some what, remember Elizabeth was barren) for their miracle; where Mary had to rely fully on God’s promise alone to bring her miracle to pass.

Here we have two people, Zechariah and Mary. Two people, who the Bible tells us, were upright, walked blamelessly and were favored by God. Zechariah was a priest; surely he should have been able to believe God. In fact, it shocks me he didn’t, for this same miracle had already been done before, for his father Abraham! Zechariah had to have had this story memorized. Yet, he asked, “How can I be sure?” Sound familiar? Has God ever promised you something would happen?  You read His promises in His Word, they are brought to you through prophecy, and yet we ask, “How can I be sure you’re going to do this?” Is God a liar? (Numbers 23:19) NO!

Zechariah’s problem was that in his heart he had doubt deeply rooted. Doubt abundantly took ground, and from the abundance of his heart, he spoke doubt. So God shut him up! I’m sure he had a lot to think about over the course of those 10 months. Maybe God has to shut up the doubt in your heart, in your mouth. He will bring your promise to pass.

Then there is Mary. When she is introduced into history, we know hardly anything about her. Except that she was a virgin, engaged to be married to Joseph, who had found favor with God. Gabriel shows up and tells her of the coming things to be, but Mary also asks, “How can this be?” Her questioning doesn’t frazzle me so much, because indeed, she was a virgin. Without the physical act of sex with a man, how could a pregnancy happen? Gabriel tells her, however, that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. For nothing is impossible for God!

Maybe you are like Mary. Maybe your circumstances make it seem totally impossible for your miracle to come through. Yet, if you have found favor with the Most High, believe that his power will overshadow you! His power will completely cover you and take control! Mary’s outcome was different. She answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) Mary had faith!

It is never said of Zechariah that he found favor with God. Not that God did not honor Zechariah for his obedience, but the favor that Mary had found was the pleasure that she had brought to God’s heart! We know that without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Mary had faith in her heart deeply rooted and grounded, and it flowed out of her mouth like living water! “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be done.”

Let’s take from both stories. Let’s silence the doubt in our heart to what God can do. Remember that you are his servant and let God be God! For nothing is impossible for God and with God! Let God birth a miracle of faith inside you!

I want to add a little more flavor to my life. Reading over the concept of being salt of the earth has intrigued me and has challenged me. Up to this point, I don't feel that I have been quite an influence of flavor on most of the people around me. Not that people don't know that I am a Christian, but that I have not made people realize that I am a Christian of words and action.

The hardest thing for us as Christians to do, is to actually walk our walk of faith. Well, for me it is at least. It is very frustrating to be different than everyone else. Which makes me question; why do we try to blend in when we live our lives trying so hard to be seen as individuals? I want to stand out, but I guess not that much. However, coming to Christ, I am given a mold that only gives me one option. To be like Jesus. And Jesus was like no other person on this earth. So, I am purposing to myself to take small steps to be more like Christ and to show others the light and love of Jesus.