Only one woman among billions received the astounding call to be the mother of Jesus the Messiah.

God chose Mary. He set her apart for special work, for a vocation unlike any other. Mary heard God’s messenger announce: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). Five months later, Mary felt the world’s Savior kicking and rolling inside her womb. Lying in a stable, Mary held the baby who would fulfill God’s plan to conquer Satan. During those miraculous first years, Mary saw the worshipful awe in the eyes of peasants and kings, coming to bow before her child.

What a calling! What a gift! Yes, we call Mary blessed, just as believers have done for 2,000 years. Certainly, God did great things—amazing things—for Mary.

Yet did you know that being Jesus’ mother was not Mary’s greatest calling in life? Long before the angel visited her, God called Mary to saving faith. He chose Mary to believe in the coming Messiah and be made holy and sinless by this Messiah’s work. He chose Mary as his own child, and heir of eternal life with him.

God has done great things for us, too! Each of us has received that same call to faith. God chose you even before he created the world! (Ephesians 1:4) Before God declared, “Let there be light,” he already knew you, and had already determined that you would become his child. His call has given us purity and perfection through Jesus, acceptance and belonging in his kingdom, and eternal life in heaven.

What a calling! What a gift!

And, just like Mary, God has again chosen us, this time for work here on earth uniquely our own. Paul tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10). Not only did God choose us for himself literally ahead of time, he also, in advance, planned good tasks for us to accomplish as we live out his unique callings for us.

No, you haven’t been visited by an angel (I know I haven’t!), but that doesn’t make your callings in Christ any less real, or any less important to the Caller. Are you married? He has called you to be a spouse. Grow in all that he intends for you. Are you a parent? He has called you to that vocation and entrusted to you the particular little ones (or not so little ones) that he wants you to nurture. The same goes for all of you grandparents as well! God has chosen you to fulfill a vital role in the lives of the grandchildren he has given you. Are you single? Live out God’s calling for you with joy and peace of mind. Run your race with the wisdom and strength he pours out on you.

How blessed we are too! Truly the Mighty One has done great things for us. We are chosen—doubly chosen! God has called us to a relationship with him that provides us with every spiritual blessing, from now through eternity. And God has set us apart for special work, giving each of us our own unique avenues of service. In gratitude we fulfill the callings he chose for us, affirming with our lives, “holy is his name!”