Why Me? Why Me? Why Not Me?

Imagine Mary and Joseph, both apprehensive about the call God gave them to be the parents of Jesus. They probably thought to themselves: Why me? I am just an average person. I’m not worthy of carrying and giving birth to the Son of God. I don't know how to raise this child. Why did God choose me?

Their journey and circumstances were nothing short of difficult. Young and inexperienced parents. No room at the inn. Giving birth to a child in a stable. Scared of the potential societal consequences of having a child out of wedlock.

We too are like Mary and Joseph. Sometimes we receive a call from God that is unexpected. Sometimes that call is hard. Other times it is surprising. We feel unworthy. We feel challenged by it. We don’t understand it. We struggle to say "yes" to it.

God brings forth Christ in us in our own mangers of life. Christ can come in enormous blessings, but also in sufferings – often both.

We have a God of surprises. A God that qualifies the called. A God that delights in challenging our trust, faith, and human understanding. A God that believes we are worthy. A God who chooses the humble and willing for his greatest purposes.

I have had moments where I’ve thought: Why me, God, why me?”

His answer: Why not you?

As we approach the end of the Advent season, let our prayer be to accept the call that God has in mind for us, however big or small it may be, and to embrace the Christ being born in us during this Christmas season.