Issue 213
This is the first in a series of four WORKTALKweeklys designed to help you think about the Christmas story.
Some workplace moments can be truly terrifying: you suddenly realise the size of an investment you have made; it dawns upon you that there are huge legal implications of your decision; you become acutely aware of the lives that will be changed by your actions.
If you’re on the receiving end you may be horrified to realise what someone else has decided and how it will affect you and your family.
The list is endless but they share in common the feature of over-extension. You have over-committed, under-estimated, overreached or gone out on a limb. The result is a feeling of being in unfamiliar territory or territory on the outer reaches of your experience.
Such is Mary’s moment. Most likely a teenager, she has an encounter with an angel; not any angel but a senior one. The opening greeting, although positive, must have been absolutely terrifying. ‘Highly favoured’ could mean ‘singled out’ – but her reading of Old Testament history would have led her straight away to wonder whether she was singled out for elevation or suffering; it was a moment of total terror.
We don’t need to dwell on the content of the message – amazing though it is – the point of this observation is Mary’s final reaction. It is her understanding of herself which enables her to respond to the news. The immensity of the message would have added fear to shock and terror, despite the angel’s reassurances. She may well have been shaking the entire time. Mary’s response is that “I am the Lord’s servant” and “may it be to me as you have said”.
In those two phrases you have the toolkit to cope with any terrifying moment. You may have made an investment, but you are not a servant of the market, you are a servant of the Lord. You may have made a commitment but you are not a servant of the system, you are a servant of the Lord. You may be at your limit but you are not a servant of the finite, you are a servant of the Lord.
You may be on the receiving end of a terrifying decision but you are not a servant of that person, you are a servant of the Lord.
You need, then, to make sure you know what has been said. The words to you are far more comprehensive than Mary had. “I will never leave you” – “do not worry” – “I am with you always” – “I am the resurrection and the life” – “learn from me”. These are just some of the words Jesus has said.
You can then say to him “may it be as You have said” because he has said it in writing for your benefit.
Some workplace scenarios are very scary. But love drives out fear. Love has arrived this season.
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found Favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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