When most people hear the name Mary, they are instantaneously reminded of Jesus’ Mother--the young newly engaged woman chosen by God to carry the Savior of the world. You might even know the story so well by now that it almost seems simple. Every Christmas we are retold her story of humility and grace as she carried baby Jesus. The more I read God’s Word and learn about Mary, the more I am challenged and encouraged to live life with more obedience.
What surprises me most is that after an angel spoke to her and told her she was all of the sudden going to have a baby and that baby was going to rescue the entire world, she replied without a bit of doubt, “May it happen,” She said. I would love to think that I would have the same reaction; I love and trust God, but that a surprise like that would make me wonder and question a few things first. In the “let me pray about it”/ “I’ll get back to you” world we live in today, it’s easy to put things to the side or use a euphemism instead of directly saying no. Excuses make it easy for us to put things off, but Mary didn’t reply to the angel with any excuses or euphemisms. Her heart was so devoted to God that, as a child of God and servant of the King, she was immediately obedient.
Mary’s choice to say yes without hesitation didn’t mean that she was fully prepared at that moment to be the mother of the Messiah. Because of her faithfulness and her servant heart, God well equipped her for her new role and blessed her along the way. God calls us to be obedient to Him; He knows all the plans He has for us. When we choose to be obedient, God prepares us for the road ahead and promises to bless us too.
