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2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 • Luke 1:47-55 • Romans 16:25-27 • Luke: 1:26-38

By Matt Poole

We approached the 12 -foot wall on the ropes course at Camp Manidokan with apprehension after the instructor told us our task was to get our entire group over it.

I looked around at the twelve 35-65 year-olds standing there and thought to myself, "This is just about impossible!"

Then the group worked together to prove me wrong and 30 minutes later we were celebrating on the other side. Mary's words in Luke 1:51 haunt me, "he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts."

I remember that moment because it was a good example of how I get stuck in my limited perspective and false assumptions. I tend to rely only on my own ability or my own experience when facing difficulties.

Yet when I stand in the pulpit to preach or lead worship I tell others about this all powerful and amazing God who sends a Savior into the world with Angel chorus and then I walk out to live a half full life.

When I look at challenges as only something I can handle or fix alone, I become a dysfunctional deist - telling others about a great God but not living as though I actually believe God can accomplish anything in my world. I have bought into the culture's view that it all depends on me.

We use phrases like, "God helps those who help themselves." Or, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps." Deism is the thought that God exists but has left us on this planet to fend for ourselves under our own power and ability.

What makes this dysfunctional is the fact that I know God has the power to work in my life yet I do not live as though that power is a reality. This makes God out to be very small and impotent in my life.

We tend to think we have to get over an addiction on our own. We have to carry our unforgiveable guilt and hidden shame throughout life. We need to work on the Sabbath to get the job done. We need to fix people by giving them more of our expert opinions.

Now if none of that works, then we might possibly say a prayer as a last ditch effort. What else is there that we can do? Maybe if we pray harder or with the right words? But again, this could possibly be based on our ability to pray rather than God's ability to act.

Mary on the other hand accepted God's power at work in her life. King David was told that God would establish a house for him and extend his rule forever. Paul ends his letter with the words "Now to him who is able to establish you..."

These texts remind us that God's power is at work in us and in human history. Ultimately God became flesh and dwelt among us. This is by no means deism.

I have heard it said that if our vision consists of something we can accomplish on our own it is not big enough.

The angel Gabriel reminded Mary that nothing will be impossible with God. So it becomes possible with God's help to overcome an addiction. It becomes possible with God to erase our guilt and shame. It becomes possible to take a day off from work every week. It becomes possible for people to be transformed. It becomes possible to celebrate Christmas, God's becoming flesh, and live a fully devoted life.

The Rev. Matt Poole is a Guide in the Western Region of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.