Mary Said Yes to God

Mary. Multiple images play out on the whiteboard of our minds at the mention of her name. But ponder this thought: before Mary heaved her very pregnant body onto the back of a donkey, before she plodded with Joseph into the hubbub of Bethlehem, before she made do with a manger for her Baby’s bed, she made a significant choice. Mary said Yes to God.

The angel Gabriel appeared with a Special Delivery Message from God, which dramatically altered the course of Mary’s life; she would never again be the same. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you”(Luke 1:28). Gabriel goes on, in the verses following, to offer reassurance and clarity to this youthful maiden. He articulates the specifics he had been assigned to deliver. “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).

Then tucked in between verse 37 and verse 39 are the remarkable words we pause to consider. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). In paraphrase, “So be it. Thy will be done.”

Mary said Yes to God—to His will, to His plan, to His call on her life. Her destiny was contained in her response, and I am astounded each time I read it! How was this humanly possible for one so young, so innocent?

A closer look at the text sheds light on her faith-filled choice.                                                     

Mary said Yes to God because she knew the Word of God.                                                               

And                                                                                                                                                 

Because she knew the Word of God, she knew the Person of God. 

And

Because she knew the Person of God, she was prepared to say yes to the opportunity of God.

Her song (Luke 1:46-55) is saturated with Old Testament teaching where she exclaims the character of God, the faithfulness of God, the power of God, even the priorities of God. The significance of her response is steeped in the significance of Scripture. And here the connective gem emerges:

Knowing her God and knowing His Word laid the foundation for Mary to say Yes to God with pure, simple faith.

Luke 1: 46-55

And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation after generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their innermost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, [remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

The God that Mary knew invited her into His plan, and Mary said yes. She chose to believe. (Luke 1: 45) She chose to obey.

Living with Eternal Intentionality®

If Mary said No, how would the Story have been different?

Does her knowledge of Scripture motivate you to saturate yourself in the Word of God? What step will you take today to embark on this adventure?

Which aspect of God’s character in Luke 1:46-55 particularly encourages you this season of Advent?

Mary’s model of saying Yes to God sets an example for you and me. Where is God asking you to say Yes?

Jaw-Dropping Reality About Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Negative influences swirl all around us as we move into this cherished Thanksgiving weekend. The jaw-dropping reality: with a few minor adjustments, you and I can intentionally set the trajectory for a wonderful, thanksgiving-filled holiday, in spite of the unusual set of circumstances we face.

Please hear me; this is not about manufacturing a self-made positive attitude. Oh, no. Rather, this an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to move us from where we are to where we long to be. And His outcome promises to be more delicious than our meals. Personal reflection and personal praise set the stage of our weary hearts to be refreshed and primed to bless.

Personal reflection:

Am I thankful, at this moment, for where I am geographically? How does my answer affect my own happiness and the happiness of those around me?

Which “blessing” in my life would I prefer to give back to God?

In the last 24 hours, what has provoked grumbling or complaining within my spirit?

Now, after taking our truthful answers to the foot of the Cross and enlisting the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit, we read aloud our praise.

Personal praise:

I will exalt You, my God and King;

I will bless Your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless You,

and I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;

His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation will commend Your works to the next,

and will proclaim Your mighty acts—

the glorious splendor of Your majesty.

And I will meditate on Your wondrous works.

They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds,

and I will declare Your greatness.

They will extol the fame of Your abundant goodness

and sing joyfully of Your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.

The LORD is good to all;

His compassion rests on all He has made.

All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD,

and Your saints will bless You.

They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom

and speak of Your might,

to make known to men Your mighty acts

and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and Your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful in all His words

and kind in all His actions.b

The LORD upholds all who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to You,

and You give them their food in season.

You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

He hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD preserves all who love Him,

but all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD;

let every creature bless His holy name

forever and ever.

(Psalm 145)

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

Oh! How great is our God! May His greatness and His grace saturate your soul with praise and thanksgiving.

A Thoughtful Tool to Personalize Your Thanksgiving

With this list and that agenda, we feel like we are racing against the clock, and our heart preparation for Thanksgiving Day suffers neglect. To counter that challenge, I offer a suggestion. Take a few moments, fill your favorite mug with a warm hot beverage, silence your phone, and sit still. In this context, walk yourself through these prompts. After all, it IS Thanksgiving!

I give thanks because ____________.

I am thankful that ________________.

I give thanks even though _____________.

Thinking about ________________increases my thanksgiving.

I give thanks since _________________.

If only I could give thanks for ______________.

________________ lurks to rob me of thanksgiving.

When _____________ my heart overflows with thanksgiving.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“Father, thank you so much for your unconditional love for me. May my spirit be filled to overflowing with a heart of gratitude. And, may Your grace be my offering to each person or circumstance I encounter. I love you in Jesus’ Name.”