I was reading Luke 1 recently about the birth of Jesus being foretold to Mary. Luke 1:37-38 says: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Note: A bondslave is someone who is willing to give up their own desires and serve the cause of someone else; someone willing to disregard their own interests to be devoted to someone else’s interests.

I keep Luke 1:37 in front of me in my office, but as I read Luke 1:38, Mary’s statement jumped off the page and grabbed my attention. “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary knew the potential cost and scandal of something like this in her culture. The Jewish laws could demand that she be stoned to death.  There would all be always be whispers and ridicule.  And what about Joseph; what would he think or do?  There was no guarantee Joseph would remain with her as her husband.

In spite of this, Mary’s declaration was simple and significant.  She had a humble and submissive attitude to God and His Word and was willing to do whatever He asked in order to fulfill His purpose.

In Radical Mentoring we memorized this definition of character by Andy Stanley.  “Character is the will to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless of personal cost.”   We need more followers of Jesus today who are persons of character like Mary.  We may believe nothing is impossible with God and want to see Him do miracles on our behalf, we just don’t want to be a bondslave or servant of God in order to be a part of the miracle.  Maybe that needs to change.