Mary said in Luke 1:48-49, “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.” Mary now contemplates the future impact of her present decision to surrender to God’s will. She fully expects that her surrender in the present will positively impact future generations for the glory of God.
Back in 1905 a Christian woman named Mabel Weaver sensed that God was leading her to start a new church right here in Springfield. She surrendered to God’s will and built Peace Chapel at the corner of Springfield and Armory Streets. In 1919 they changed their name to Bethany Fellowship Chapel. In 1924 they changed their name to Bethany Pentecostal Church. In 1954 they changed their name to Bethany Assembly of God. This is the church I grew up attending. That’s the church I got saved at as a kid. I left that church to attend Bible college and then moved back to the area to start another church that would also help people come to faith in Christ. The kids pastor at Bethany, as I was growing up, was a man named Brian Tracey. He too left Bethany to start another church in Wilbraham that is reaching people far from God with the good news that Jesus saves. And there have been many others that have been raised up there and then sent out to make a difference for Jesus in the world, nationally and internationally. But all these good things that are bringing glory to God and all these things are advancing his kingdom on this earth, all started with someone that none of us ever even met. All this good goes back to Mabel Weaver. It’s 110 years later since she surrendered, but future generations continue to be impacted for the glory of God!
This is what Mary realized would happen with her. She knew that her surrender in the present would positively impact future generations for the glory of God. And the same is true with us! Friends – when you partner with your local church through your giving and serving and inviting your friends – you’re investing in something that will far outlive you – something that will continue to reach people for Jesus long after you’re gone. This is why, by far, the best investment you can make with you life, is an investment in your local church! And the greater your investment now, the greater the good that will result later (in future generations). Mary was all in and look how God used her! What about you? Are you fully invested? Are you giving, serving and inviting your friends? The degree to which you invest is the degree to which you’ll impact future generations for the glory of God and the good of his kingdom! This is what you can expect if you surrender your life for the good of the local church.