“And Mary replied, ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1.38
I believe Mary’s “yes” to God was one of the biggest and most significant in history. She lived a life worthy of such an amazing calling. Although not sinless, as some might believe, Mary was an amazing instrument of the Lord who would give birth to the Messiah, Jesus. Mary’s “yes” opened up the opportunity for humanity to meet with God, to find redemption, and to seek forgiveness in the arms of a Savior.
Mary’s “yes” did not happen automatically. This wasn’t like AI, where a program automatically executes a command. Mary had to respond affirmatively to God’s invitation to use her for His glory. I believe the Lord knew she would say yes—after all, He chose the kind of person who already loved Him, obeyed Him, and was pure in heart and spirit. But nonetheless, Mary’s response mattered. In Luke 1:38, she replied, “I am the Lord’s servant… May your word to me be fulfilled.” In other words—“Yes, I will do it!”
Has God come to you with a task that, in your own strength, you could never accomplish? Every bit of ministry I have done in my life—from the Somerset, KY, youth group during seminary to the Marble Falls early service and student ministry; from Aldersgate to the conference youth ministry; from Faith Academy to Movement Ministry consulting; and now to Revive and Truett—none of it could have been done had I not said “yes” to God. And not only that: if He had not provided me with strength, power, and opportunity, I would not have left behind disciples, leaders, and fruit that only comes through the Holy Spirit.
Mary said yes, I said yes (although begrudgingly at times), and now you can say yes. But what are we saying yes to? We are saying yes to being used by God for His purposes and His glory—to make disciples (Matt. 28), to be witnesses (Acts 1), to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), to be the hands and feet of Christ, and to work fully and wholeheartedly for the Lord (as in 1 Cor. 15:58). We are saying yes to whatever God wants to do in our lives. We all have different paths—some are ministers, dentists, moms and dads; some are business owners, missionaries, teachers in our schools. Our saying yes means we will speak His name, grow His church, and make disciples wherever He calls us to go.
Christmas is fast approaching, and Mary is one of the best examples of someone saying yes and then seeing the amazing fruit of her willingness to serve God. But now it’s your turn to say yes—your turn to imitate Mary, to hear the voice of the Lord, and to do that which only He can accomplish through you.
It all begins with your “yes.” Yes, Lord, I will love You; yes, Lord, I will serve You; yes, Lord, I will be Your man, woman, or child. Once you say yes, your life will never settle for “no” again.
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful to me. As I sit pondering Your mighty works, nearing Christmas in the mountains, I give thanks for Your amazing grace. I thank You for working through me to accomplish Your purposes. Come now, Holy Spirit; fill me with Your power and love. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.