Lord...what am I to do?!?

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As a young woman, Mary had no idea that she would be the woman God used to bring forth the world's savior. Many of us have had similar experiences regarding the ministry or business God has given us. This can cause unrelatable levels of fear that lead to alienation. Many women feel alone in their pursuit of purpose because, to their knowledge, there's no one else experiencing what they're currently experiencing.

Remember the television series Mission Impossible? There could be no episode or feature film if the mission was aborted and left unaccepted. With each episode and movie, there was something presented that need a willing vessel. These were no regular missions, and well, nobody was a better candidate than Jim Phelps and his team. The mission of this holy thing isn't a mission for Batman, Superman, Spiderman, the Justice League, or even The Avengers; it's a mission for a woman blessed and highly favored of God.

You may feel the mission given to you is impossible. But with that feeling comes confirmation that you are the right choice to carry out the mission. Mary discovered this when the angel says to her that "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). You may even feel incapable of stewarding the holy thing once you carry it to its birthing point.

When the angel sent her to her cousin Elizabeth, who was experiencing something similar in her own life, Mary was going through. Understand that though you may not be able to reach out to your go-to friends and confidants, God has someone prepared to speak life into you and to guide you in the seasons of preparation for purpose. For Mary, it was Elizabeth. For Esther, it was Mordecai. God will always prepare a person to carry an affirming word to accompany the one carrying the work.
Mary went to Elizabeth, and the Lord's word came forth after baby John leaped in his mother's womb.

The bible tells us that John leaped in his mother's womb and filled her with the Holy Ghost before she prophesied to Mary. What followed was confirmation of the word of the Lord. How many of you reading this need confirmation from the Lord? "This Holy Thing" may look like birthing a ministry, hosting a conference, or even going forth in the Lord sharing the gospel in person or online. Even still, there are ways God wants to use us in ways that are beyond the scope of our imagination. So whatever "this holy thing" looks like for you, this is the encouragement and confirmation you need to go forth.

​Your point of view affects everything about your holy thing. Perspective changes the trajectory of your holy thing altogether. What was initially perceived as burdensome by Mary proved to be a blessing to the world through her obedience. "How will this happen?" What does this mean for my relationship?" What if Joseph doesn't believe me?" Mary had a long list of questions as much as you or I would, but the angel told her "with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37), reminiscent of the words to Sarah who at the time was barren, "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). In this passage, the Lord asked a rhetorical question in response to Sarah's laughter. Not only are all things possible with God, but He will also prove Himself despite our doubt.
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Part of this proving will require obedience on our part. It's not wise to doubt God while He is trying to get a blessing to you, through you! This was part of Mary and Joseph's plight raising their son, Jesus. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth but had to travel to Bethlehem, where Jesus would be born. During their trip home for the census, Mary gave birth in Bethlehem. This fact is important because of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 which says, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

Bethlehem is also home to King David; Mary and her son Jesus are part of the lineage. Though also part of the Davidic lineage, Joseph was of a "childless" portion of the lineage, that of Coniah. The pronouncement that "no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah" is found in Jeremiah 22:30. Skeptics often referred to Jesus as "Joseph's son," which led to the conflict that caused many not to receive Him and question His claim as King of the Jews. 

It may not look like it, and it certainly may not feel like it, but to receive the gift of a "holy thing" from God is indicative of favor! God has chosen you to carry out the assignment, and there's no one else He's looking for to do it. Sure, someone else could have done it, but they're not you! Simply put, "they" weren't chosen; you were! So, savor the favor and receive from God what He has given you to do for His glory!

I find it interesting that Mary sought Jesus thinking he was dead but found Him alive! She grieved, thinking that the body of the Lord was displaced, but he was closer than she knew. The Bible promises that those of us seeking the Lord will find him. Even in "death," Mary found the Lord because he was alive. "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" the angel asked the women in Luke 24:5. The Lord promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13), and James tells us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Mary took things a step further and launched an investigation! Her curiosity would not be satisfied; she kept seeking, even after Peter and John "went away again unto their own home." (John 20:10)

Does this sound like you that a deep sense of duty to the Lord has begotten you a great assignment? Mary wasn't seeking an assignment; she was seeking the Lord. Jesus commanded her not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended but to go and tell the disciples he would ascending (John 20:17). Mary's assignment was to Jesus' "brothers," and what an assignment that was. Her response to the Lord's goodness kept him near her heart, and she remained dutifully devoted to Him, even in death.

Maybe you, like Mary Magdalene, sought the Lord and not an assignment. Mary immediately went, but what if she would have relented? Do you ever stop to think about that? She could have said, "but Lord, I'm a woman; they won't hear me or believe me!" What if she said, "I wonder if Peter and John said anything yet?" We don't know because we know that she went as Jesus commanded her. Imagine the pure joy encapsulated in the responsibility to tell the good news!

The message that Jesus was alive was first delivered to His disciples by women; I won't let you forget that. Many of you may testify that you struggle because you, like Mary, didn't ask for that holy thing, but many others of you may have even asked God for it, like Hannah. Either way, now that it's in your hands, the success of it is up to you! How obedient you are will determine whether you experience sound, godly success or not. Of course, this begs the question many of you may be asking, "what am I to do with this holy thing?" To guide you, I'll share bible stories and other anecdotes to guide you along the process of bringing it forth according to purpose.
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Whether the "baby" you're carrying or have delivered is a ministry, book, service, business, or other Kingdom assignment, I pray that this book inspires a leap of faith. Thank you for reading I pray that this book provides you with the thrust necessary to go birth "that holy thing" with confidence, courage, and boldness.

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