We toss the term "I am blessed and highly favored" around these days kinda like "What would Jesus do?" years back. It's catchy and people tend to say it when they are being blessed and want to give the credit to God. Sometimes I use it when things are going not so well and I just declare it into my circumstances. This term is definitely truth and is a promise that God has given us as His children. We ARE blessed and highly favored!
The proclamation "blessed and highly favored" was made in Luke 1 when the angel of the Lord came
to Mary and told her that she was to have a son. I don't know about you but if I was an unmarried pregnant girl back in the Bible days I don't think I would be considered blessed. I don't think this got her favor of a close parking place at the local mall either! People would definitely be judging and possibly be disowned by family and friends. This was scandal and drama of epic proportions! When Mary was looked at by others it had to have been hard to explain her favor or her blessing and not just when she was young....but possibly for the rest of her life.
" the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give 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 1:28-33
What Mary knew was that she was carrying the presence of God; the savior of the world. So she could hold her head high even amidst the whispers because she had the knowledge of that promise.
Nothing in her outside circumstances had changed...this "gift" didn't make her richer or give her any kudos or material favor of any kind. What Mary rejoices about is not what God has GIVEN her but what God has BECOME in her....blessed and highly favored.
ever meant for you to be". It means that God is taking every day and every single thing that
happens in it—good or bad—to make you stronger, to mend whatever is broken inside, to
change you into the person you were always meant to be. The blessing is what God is making
you into and the knowledge of Jesus He is bringing to others through you.
Now if you happen to get a front row parking space at the mall you better declare the favor of God; especially if it is on a Saturday! haha. What I am getting at here is that being blessed and highly favored isn't totally reflective of what is happening in the material aspect of our lives...it is really what we are carrying on the INSIDE. We are the living, breathing ambassadors and carriers of the presence of God! We can rejoice like Mary because God has chosen us to carry the hope of the world; now we just need to get to work at delivering it.
Adjust That Crown
Jonna
