Let It Be

A few weeks ago I was sitting in church and my mind began to drift to the coming season of advent. I was reflecting on the moment when a young teenage woman, Mary, received the message that she would become the mother of God. Then my thoughts turned to a song that I have listened to since I was a young teenage woman many years ago.

The inspiration for the lyrics to this song came from a dream that the poet had. His name is Paul McCartney and he was in a revolutionary band of sixties and seventies. The Beatles were a group of friends who combined their talents to produce some great music that as a child of the sixties and seventies I have enjoyed over the years. Toward the end of their time together tensions arose amongst them as they were growing as artists. They were finding the band to be confining to their individual expression. During this time, Paul had a dream and in this dream his mother whose name was Mary appeared to him and they had a conversation. His mother told him “It will be alright, just let it be.”

This dream led Paul to write the song Let It Be. Over the past forty years, I have listened to that song and always thought that it was inspired by Mary, the mother of Jesus. The message that this song brings to me is one of faith. Faith to believe that in the midst of trouble and darkness there will be an answer.

Mary of Nazareth, when visited by the angel Gabriel, was troubled and frightened. Mary’s life changed forever at the moment of this announcement. She would be given the gift of caring for and loving Jesus from his conception until the bitter end of his life on earth. It is interesting that the name Mary actually means “bitter.” Because Mary was given this great privilege from God to raise Jesus, the bible tells us that, for all time she would be called “blessed.”

After Mary receives clarification from the angel as to how all this is going to occur, her beautiful response is one of complete surrender and trust. She says to Gabriel, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

 Mary said YES to God!

Gabriel did not tell her the details of the future. He did not tell her that she would be in danger because there would be forces seeking to end the life of her child. He didn’t mention that she would have to travel a long distance while pregnant. He didn’t tell her that when she arrived at her destination, exhausted and ready to give birth that there wouldn’t be anyplace for her to stay and that she would be forced to deliver her child in a filthy, stinky stable.

Gabriel also failed to mention that she would see some amazing things during the course of Jesus’ life. She saw Jesus grow into a man. She was there when he began to astound the scholars of his time. She was there and witnessed his many miracles and healings. She was a woman that was truly blessed with great joy and great sorrow.

I find it interesting that Gabriel did not ask Mary if she wanted this gift of being Jesus’ mother, instead he announced to her that this is what was to come. What would have happened if Mary had said no? I think that her resistance to the call of God would have caused her much grief. Jesus would have still been born but Mary would have missed the blessing God had for her.

When I consider my own life I can see how easy it is for me to resist God in times of trouble. I want out of my suffering. I think that this is a very human response and that is what makes Mary’s ability to surrender and trust so extraordinary. I have found that resisting what God brings to us does not change the circumstance. However, what does change is how we walk through those dark valleys. If we can surrender to God and trust that God is with us, we can find peace in the midst of very trying times.

The song Let It Be has three main messages that speak to me in a prophetic way.

• Speaking words of wisdom – Mary’s surrender and trust in God when she proclaimed the words, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

• There will be an answer – The answer is Jesus!

• There is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow – Jesus is the light of the world that will shine on us all forever!

I pray that as I continue to walk through my life that I will be able to say YES to God in whatever circumstances I find myself in whether they come with great joy or great sorrow. I pray this for you as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS