How Mary’s Christmas Story Helps You Reach Your North Star

Do you feel called by God? Does fulfilling that ultimate purpose in life feel daunting? How can we stay on track to fulfill our God-given destiny?

I admit, while I sense God leading me to a particular destiny and calling, I started believing lies that I am worthless until I actually have a dream job where I am doing exactly what I was called to do. Thankfully, God paraded that obvious lie in the front of my thoughts so I could rethink this whole destiny-reaching process. 

So rather than striving to attain that all too distant North Star, what if we broke it down into small steps? Instead of hyper-focusing on reaching our impossible dream, what if we thought of it as simply walking on a daily path one stepping stone at a time? And what if that daily path leads to our north star, but the focus is the person we’re with at the moment (ie. the stepping stone we’re standing on), not the big scary ultimate destiny?

Ahh, yes… That feels much more life-giving and peaceful than striving to get someplace and criticizing myself for not being there yet. But how do we do that?

Mary, the mother of Jesus, sets a great example for us. Taking a closer look at her story teaches us practical ways to move forward in our calling. 

1. Read God’s word

Luke 1 describes how the angel Gabriel visited Mary and dropped a humongous calling on her life. The story starts with Gabriel saying,  “Greetings, O favored one.” Scripture says Mary “was greatly troubled…and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” Although we are not told why God has favored her, we do know that she was well versed in Scripture because her song of praise in verses 46-55 is full of references to many psalms, and other Old Testament passages. Mary very likely knew the prophecies in Scripture about the coming Messiah, which probably made it easier for her to believe the words the angel told her.

Reading the Bible helps us learn God’s ways and know who we are as His chosen ones and how we fit into God’s bigger story. This foundation of knowing who God is, who we are in Him creates a security in His faithfulness to us that is foundational to our walk with Him. 

2. Stay calm

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

(Luke 1:30-33 ESV)

Any of us would freak out if if we had a visitation from a real-live angel! We’d also be anxious if God called us to do something huge like that. One thing that may help us stay calm is remembering that God is not a slave driver who piles work on our backs or forces us to do His work. He will never be a slave driver like Pharaoh was to the Israelites in Egypt. (See Exodus 5:6-9.) On the contrary, when He asks us to do something for Him, it’s an invitation for us to partner with Him in bringing His Kingdom to earth. God is looking for friends who will willingly and eagerly partner with Him to accomplish His purposes. (See John 15:14-17 for more encouragement on this.) He gives us a choice to obey or not obey. Mary could have said no. Instead, she takes the next practical step to steward this ginormous promise of God.

3. Ask God clarifying questions

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

(Luke 1:34 ESV)

It’s important to note here that Zechariah also asked a God a question in Luke 1:18 after the angel Gabriel tells him that his wife Elizabeth will have a baby (John the Baptist). The angel Gabriel rebukes Zechariah for asking, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advance in years.” This question seems similar to the one Mary asked, but in Like 1:20, Gabriel discerns Zechariah’s heart and immediately knows his reply was filled with doubt and unbelief. Mary’s was not. She believed it was possible but didn’t understand how it would happen.

So if you sense God calling you to do a big job for Him and you’re not sure how it could be implemented, ask Him clarifying questions in faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to explain what you need to know so you can move forward in what the Lord is calling you to do.

4.  Listen carefully because God’s words have power 

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.

(Luke 1:35-37)

This is a massive message for a teenager to take in! But Mary listens carefully. Just before this in verse 29, we are told that Mary “tried to discern” Gabriel’s greeting, so her brain was already working hard to believe God’s message. I suspect that in this moment, Father God also gave Mary the gift of faith so she could fully believe what she was hearing was true. Also, it must have been very comforting for Mary to know that her relative Elizabeth would be pregnant at the same time and would also experience a miraculous pregnancy. In these quick sentences, Gabriel told Mary she was not alone in this. Mary knew she could confide in Elizabeth and if the Holy Spirit was going to come upon her, then surely God would be with her on this entire journey.

In Greek, the phrase, “for nothing will be impossible with God” means that no spoken word of God will be impossible for God to accomplish. This truth is repeated in other Scriptures such as Isaiah 55:10-11, which says, 

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

(Isaiah 55:10-11)

If you are feeling alone in your journey, take time to look around and see who is on a similar journey as you. Ask Holy Spirit to tangibly show you that you are not alone in this. If God is calling you to partner with Him in some way, He will also bring others to walk with you so you are not alone.

If you’re doubting God’s calling on your life or the words He has spoken to you, I encourage you to meditate on Luke 1:37 and Isaiah 55:10-11. Be encouraged; whatever the Lord has said about your life will come to pass as long as you are willing to follow His plan. That leads us to Mary’s next step.

5. Agree with God’s plan by giving Him your “Yes”

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:38)

Agreeing with what God says is the most important action step we can take on our journey to fulfill our purpose. When Mary says yes to God, she aligns her heart and her thoughts with His. She is all in! 

Have you given your, “Yes, I’m all in!” to God? If not, I encourage you to agree with God in all that He is saying to you. If you’re not sure which path God is leading you on, simply ask Him to clarify things for you. If you feel something trying to derail you or if you feel opposition, ask God to push back any resistance. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Paul encourages us to destroy any thoughts, arguments, or lofty opinions or ideas that oppose God. To do this, simply say no to the Enemy’s schemes and turn back to the Lord. I find that saying God’s personal words to me or declaring His plans for me out loud helps me align my thoughts and heart with His.

6. Obey God by taking action toward your calling

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 

(Luke 1:39)

Soon after Mary agrees with God’s plan for her life, she moves into action by visiting Elizabeth, which was no small task. Although we don’t know exactly how far it was for Mary to travel to Elizabeth’s house, scholars estimate the journey from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah (v. 39) was approximately 80 miles and could have taken about four days. Taking that first step was instrumental her commitment to carry out the Lord’s plan.

What three things can you identify to actively step into the Lord’s call on your life? Once we give God our yes and follow through with action, all of heaven moves to help us, as you will see in the next step.

7. Confide in those you trust & who are well-grounded in Scripture 

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

(Luke 1:41-45 ESV)

I love how God blesses Elizabeth here with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is likely how Elizabeth was able to believe Mary’s story immediately with out a shred of doubt. How confirming this must have been for young Mary who must have been feeling very lonely and maybe even scared! Elizabeth quickly affirms Mary by praising her for believing the Lord’s words to her. 

Luke also tells us that Elizabeth was one of the daughters of Aaron and that she and Zechariah were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” (Luke 1:5 ESV) Elizabeth was an older and wiser woman Mary could trust. I encourage you to talk to someone older and wiser than you so they can affirm you in pursuing your calling. It can be a lonely and confusing journey, but having others to walk along side us can help bring clarity and makes even the most difficult load easier to bear.  

8. Praise the Lord for what He has done and is doing in and through you

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed…”

(Lk. 1:46-48 ESV)

Mary then launches into one of the most beautiful passages in the New testament, called the Magnificat. She burst out with her own song of praise about God and all that he has done for her. As mentioned in point number 1 above, Mary references many of the Psalms and other Old Testament passages in her song of praise to the Lord. 

Psychology researchers have identified a long list of positive effects from keeping a daily gratitude journal. Emotional and health benefits included being more optimistic, getting better sleep, being more physically active, having less fear and anxiety, less fatigue, and a reduction in heart failure. (See https://nhahealth.com/neuroscience-reveals-gratitude-literally-rewires-your-brain-to-be-happier/) And when we turn our gratitude toward God by praising God and appreciating Him for what He has done for us, it has an even greater effect. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!” In other words, when we praise the Lord and thank Him for what He has done, we enter into His heavenly court! Praising God increases our intimacy with Him and can give us His perspective on our lives. 

9. Treasures God’s words and ponder them often

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

(Luke 2:15-19)

How incredible it must have been for young Mary when the Shepherds arrived! They told her and Joseph how an angel of the Lord appeared to them in the fields and told them,

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

(Luke 2:10-12 ESV)

Mary marveled at how God had spoken to the the shepherds, confirming once again that Mary was indeed the mother of our Lord Jesus. Luke records that Mary pondered all these things in her heart. What a beautiful posture of humility she exhibited and what a wonderful example for all of us. 

What words has God spoken to you and how can you treasure them in your heart? Are there any events or “coincidences” that God is showing you which are confirming your calling? Make a list of these things and ponder them with gratitude to the Lord for all he is showing you.

Friends, I am personally using these 9 steps in my own life as I pursue my calling and purpose. Following Mary’s example is a wonderful way to dispel any doubts or fears that crop up about God’s purpose for us. 

I bless your spirit to lead your soul and your body and you begin to align your hearts and minds with all the plans the Lord has for you.  Blessings in Christ.