“…Let this happen to me according to your word.” – (Luke 1:37).“IN CASE you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE,” wrote Halle Berry’s twitter account in reaction to the news this week that actress and singer, part of the duo Chloe X Halle, Halle Bailey will become the new Disney princess, princess Ariel in the remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’. The 19-year-old will become the second black actress to portray a Disney princess, with the first being actress Anika Noni Rose in 2009’s ‘The Princess and the Frog’. With this news came many messages of congratulations at this landmark decision. But there were also many critics with the hashtag of #NotMyAriel trending on social media, with some people feeling that Ariel should embody the pale skin, blue eyes and red hair she is so famously remembered for. As we start another week, are you in a position to change something that has been longstanding for a long time? Is the fear of criticisms holding you back from making a change?
A character in the bible that was put in a similar position is Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary was a young woman promised to a man, and not just any man, but a man accredited as being righteous. Mary was a beautiful young woman who loved life and was set to live a traditional, happy and enriching life with her beloved Joseph. But that all changed when she an angel appeared to her stating that “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God! Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus (Luke 1:30 &31). As a young woman who was engaged, and possibly in the middle of arranging her wedding plans, this news would have been shocking. It would have been perplexing as after all this was not how it should be. This is not what she had been brought up to understand or recognise. But Mary didn’t object and said “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:37).
Mary received many criticisms. She was looked at as a cheater as those around her knew that she was engaged but not yet married to Joseph. She was probably spat on and gossiped about every time she went to town. She was looked down upon and deemed as filth. However Mary stood in her faith in God. She stood firm in adversity and she not only became the centre of God’s plan, but she became a woman who in history is one of the most revered people in the world, whose story stands the test of time.
So this week, don’t let fear be the reason you do not make that change. Do not let what others say will stop you from taking that step to greatness. For your next step will be your step to making history.
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