beWARM

A dear friend (whose name is not Sally) recently shared  that she has sadly been feeling like she’s in the “back seat”. It was surprising that this thought came from a woman who, in my estimation, has been riding “shotgun” with more women than I can count.  She has been a quiet source of  love,wisdom, and encouragement that I respect and admire.

In my teenage years, Back Seat Sally was the kind of  girl whose actions were meant to be noticed – and which resulted in a rather “questionable” reputation.

As a mother of teenagers, I remember days when I felt about as significant as a baseboard – or at the very least, a barely noticed shuttle service who also put meals on the table and kept the house and laundry from looking like a disaster zone. (Apologies to my precious daughters for this reference.)

Nowadays, I sometimes retreat to silence in a large group when a few people are carrying most of the conversation.  And, being honest, there have been a few times when life’s happenings have made me feel relegated to the background.

God can either place us in that back row for His own reasons – or ask us to choose to occupy a spot that might seem unimportant, however temporary.

Think about Mary; God chose her to be the mother of Jesus.  She could have capitalized on Jesus’ notoriety, fueling the rise of her own celebrity. (Think People magazine, and the parents of Hollywood stars.)

When Jesus died on the cross, Mary could have garnered everyone’s sympathy with a high-drama documentation of the agonizing death of her son, and the injustice of it all.

However, Mary’s choice was to quietly endure.  She accepted the role which God ordained for her, suffering and all.

I wonder if I would have the courage to do the same, with such dignity.

Luke 1:26-38 is the account of the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, revealing God’s plan for her to be mother of Jesus. While reflecting on this passage, verse 35 came to the forefront:

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…”

Like Mary, am I willing to remain in the background – to be in the shadows – surrendering to God’s will, and allowing Him to have the glory?

Sitting in that back row – for Him – is a choice He hopes we will embrace.