What She did with the gift . . .

Untapped potential is perhaps one of the most insidious enemies against greatness. When you don’t realize what gifts have been deposited into your life and their significance for you and others, you will likely miss the opportunity to make the impact with your life that you should. One of the most powerful ways we can operate in our life’s true calling comes when we realize what God has placed inside of us. If we think that we have been entrusted with certain abilities, opportunities, or investments by happenstance, we may undervalue what our lives have the potential to produce. While everyone doesn’t receive the same deposit, God gifts each one of us uniquely to impact the kingdom for His glory.

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47, KJV).

Bursting into spontaneous worship, after being greeted by her cousin Elisabeth, Mary began to passionately share her gratitude for God’s miraculous work in her life. At the beginning stages of her pregnancy, Mary recognized that what was inside of her was not only a special gift in the form of a baby, but also the profound fulfillment of the promise of God that had been shared for generations.

“And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation . . . He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” (Luke 1:50, 54-55, KJV).

As leadHERs, our deposit or special gift may not be a baby (or maybe it is) but identifying and recognizing what we have received from the Lord will empower us to cultivate what’s on the inside. In Mary’s life, her gift brought personal joy and appreciation, but she knew that what she carried was not about her and was ultimately given to more than just herself. Understanding Who has given the gift, who the gift is for, and who we are in relationship to the gift, should also fill our hearts with tremendous thankfulness and humility.

“For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name” (Luke 1:48-49, KJV).

As Mary shared the overflow from her heart in Elisabeth’s house her words were filled with a humility and gratitude that should characterize our lives as leadHERs. Chosen to carry the world’s most precious gift, she spoke not from a place of pridefulness, but as a willing servant surrendered to God’s purpose. When we also recognize that our gifts are for His purpose, we can develop the right perspective and value what we have received in the best way.

LeadHER, what if your gift (you know the one God has placed inside of you) is the fulfillment of His prophetic promise? How does this change your perception of what you have received? We love to hear Mary’s story and all that surrounds the miraculous birth of our Savior. But along with the beauty and glory of Christ’s first advent, this story challenges us to perceive our gifts in new and exciting ways. Will you lend yourself to protecting, nurturing, and cultivating the gifts God has placed in your life?

RECOGNIZE the gift of God in your life in whatever form you have received it.

RELISH the opportunity of being chosen by God to carry His special gift.

REHEARSE God’s power and greatness in the hearing of those who see His gift at work in your life.

READY yourself for the responsibility that coincides with His gift – cultivate, nurture, and grow!

LeadHERs, my prayer for you today is the awakening of your soul to what God has placed inside your life. Recognize, cultivate, and value what you have received from His intentional deposit into your life. May your heart be filled with gratefulness and your mouth declare God’s greatness as you share, like Mary, what He has done!

Your Sister in LeadHERship,

Dr. Margaret R. Frye

Want to learn more about Mary’s Song? Find it in Luke 1:46-55

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