The Power of ‘The Holy Thing’ in You: A Reflection on Luke 1:35

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy thing that will be born will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35

From the moment the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, she was confronted with a reality beyond human comprehension. A divine promise was placed within her—not just a child, but a holy thing, conceived by the Spirit of God. This phrase, often overlooked, carries weight beyond its immediate context. It speaks not only to Christ’s miraculous conception but also to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within every believer.

God Calls and Equips

Mary’s story is a testament to what happens when God calls someone to something beyond themselves. She was young, seemingly unqualified, and in the eyes of society, unprepared for such a role. Yet, the power of the Most High overshadowed her.

Likewise, when God calls you to something—whether it’s a purpose, a vision, or a new chapter in life—He does not expect you to carry it alone. The same Spirit that conceived a holy thing in Mary is the same Spirit that empowers believers today.

What has God placed within you that requires His power to bring to life?

The Overshadowing of God

Gabriel’s words remind us that divine calling is always accompanied by divine covering. To be “overshadowed” by the Most High is not a passive experience—it is an active process where God’s presence envelops, nurtures, and protects what He has conceived in you.

You may feel uncertain, inadequate, or afraid of what God is birthing in your life. But His presence is your covering. When He plants a holy thing in you, He remains faithful to bring it to completion.

Your Holy Thing

For Mary, the holy thing was Jesus—the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. For you, it may be a calling to ministry, a creative vision, a business that transforms lives, or a relationship restored through grace. Whatever it is, know this:

• It is not dependent on your qualifications, but on His Spirit.

• It will require trust in God’s process.

• It is meant to reveal His glory through you.

Trust the Birth Process

When Mary submitted to the angel’s message, she didn’t demand details—she simply said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). She trusted that if God placed something within her, He would be the One to bring it forth.

What God has conceived in you is already in motion. Like Mary, your role is not to control the process but to surrender to it.

Final Reflection

What has God placed in you that seems impossible?

Where do you need His overshadowing presence in your life?

How can you trust the process instead of trying to force the outcome?

Remember this: If God has placed a holy thing within you, He will empower you to carry it, protect you as it grows, and bring it to birth in its appointed time.

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