Standing in the Questions

I found myself reading over the story of Jesus turning water into wine this morning--a story about a party trick for some, a story about a miraculous Jesus for others.

So often I read this passage and am struck by the fact that Jesus literally took jugs of water and turned them into wine. How COOL is that?!

Today, however, my attention is drawn to Jesus' mother, Mary. In this story, we see Mary walk over to Jesus and let him know the hosts of the wedding have run out of wine (John 2: 3)--something that could have been potentially embarrassing for them. I mean, I freak out about having enough food to feed dinner parties of 10 people (can someone please also teach me the fine art of timing when the food comes out of the oven with your guests' arrival? BLESS.). I can't imagine being responsible for the entertainment, food, and drink for a wedding that lasts a week! If eloping was an option back in Jesus' day, just go ahead and sign me up for that.

But Mary.

She simply notifies Jesus of the mishap and then.... Check this out:

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” John 2: 5-8 (NIV)

Mary didn't wait around and ask Jesus "So, what are you going to do?" or "How will this work out?" She walked over to the servants and told them to do whatever Jesus was going to tell them to do. YOU GO, MARY.

Far too often when life throws a wrench in MY plan, I start the question reel:

Why? What now? How many steps is this going to take? What's the plan? What's the lesson?

It doesn't matter if I've gotten a call that something I was looking forward to has been canceled or I've walked away from a meeting with an ending I didn't see coming--my response tends to be the same. God, I know you've got this, but what's the plan?

I wonder what it would look like if I followed Mary's example? Because here's the thing: Mary KNEW Jesus. She knew his character, His heart, His promise. Her faith wasn't based in someone unreliable. Her faith was in the Messiah. 

And so is mine.

Because He is good, because He is sovereign, because He is faithful, I can make a move knowing He's already handled it. 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. 

Every bit of right now seems a little daunting doesn't it? What if we lived it like we actually knew and believed and trusted that God's got it all under control?

What if we lived like we believed God is who He says He is?

What if we lived as if the water has already been turned into wine?