The Power of Yes: What We Can Learn From Mary
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38 NIV).
Just like that, Mary said yes to becoming the mother of the Savior of the World. I’ve often wondered, had she known how much heartache was in her future, would she have said yes?
The joy of obedience to God often carries challenges with it. For Mary, a “yes” to give birth to the Savior held the possibility of a broken engagement, public gossip, and even the possibility of stoning. Regardless of these stresses, I can’t imagine Mary expected to give birth in a stable, or that she would have to flee to Egypt to protect God’s Son. I don’t think in her wildest dreams she thought she would see her baby turn water into wine, heal the sick, or die on a cross. Only God knew Mary would suffer heartache and stress along with overwhelming joy as she raised Jesus…God’s Son, her son, our Savior. Only God knew the difficult, potentially terrifying road he was asking Mary to walk. He didn’t reveal the whole story.
This isn’t to say that God manipulated Mary. As we read of the encounter between the angel and Mary in Luke chapter 1, Mary is referred to as having “found favor with God” (Luke 1:30 NIV). In two simple sentences, Mary is told that God has chosen her above all other women, and that she is not alone. The angel also tells Mary things will work out, that her son will be the Savior of all humankind. In doing so, he provided comfort without any scary details that might cause Mary to balk.
What would have happened if Mary had been aware that Jesus would be hated by the religious leaders of the day? If she had known that he would be brutally killed? God’s plan for Mary’s life was bigger than she could have ever begun to dream for herself, and the same is true for us. The Lord called Mary to obedience and promised He would always be with her. Through Mary, He also created the means by which we are forgiven with His grace and invited to spend eternity with Him.
Personally, as I’ve grown in my faith, my desire to seek God’s will for my life has taken me down an adventurous path I could never have predicted. It has been filled with delight as well as sadness. It’s hard to remember that my actions may affect others, and yet I try to cling to the same promises the angel gave Mary so many years ago. [Tweet “I am chosen, and God is with me to give me courage just like Mary.”]
What about you? Have you said yes to God, like Mary?
Beth Walker is a football coach’s wife and mom of two energetic boys. As a writer, Beth has been striving to find her own voice through pursuing Jesus, personal life reflection, and her ministry encouraging college women to grow in their relationships with God. She blogs at lessonsfromthesidelines.wordpress.com.
Photograph by Adina Voicu.
Mary’s “yes” is one of my most treasured moments in scripture. She had no idea what was ahead, but still her answer was “yes.” It encourages me to say yes in the hard places, even when I don’t know what is ahead.
“The joy of obedience to God often carries challenges with it. For Mary, a “yes” to give birth to the Savior held the possibility of a broken engagement, public gossip, and even the possibility of stoning. Regardless of these stresses, I can’t imagine Mary expected to give birth in a stable, or that she would have to flee to Egypt to protect God’s Son. I don’t think in her wildest dreams she thought she would see her baby turn water into wine, heal the sick, or die on a cross. Only God knew Mary would suffer heartache and stress along with overwhelming joy as she raised Jesus…God’s Son, her son, our Savior. Only God knew the difficult, potentially terrifying road he was asking Mary to walk. He didn’t reveal the whole story.”
What a profound way of sharing Mary’s story. So often we live under a grand illusion that if we are favored by G-d that our lives will be easy. It’s quite the opposite. Following the way of the Lord takes great sacrifice and we need great posts like this to remind us, so that we won’t be shaken, but empowered.
You have given me a fresh perspective on Mary and I will never look at her the same!! Great job Beth!
What I think is so wonderful is that it starts with the “yes.” But as Jesus grows inside of her, so does everything else. In Luke 1:38 Mary is saying “yes.” By Luke 2:5 you have this verse: “He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was EXPECTING a child.” Mary went from “how could this be?” to “yes” to “expecting.” As Jesus grew inside of her. I wonder if it isn’t so different for us. As we follow this same step-by-step profession, Jesus takes up more and more residence within our lives and we EXPECT that what He says will happen.
I suppose our faith becomes a reality with just a few fluttery kicks, but then as time passes, we can feel the weight and the strong pains. We know what He said will be fulfilled. God’s promises finally happen in our life as sure as the delivery when Mary finally saw Jesus’ face.
Thanks for writing this, Beth. I needed to think through those things. This ministered to me. <3
Love every part of this post. ‘Yes’ holds even more beauty for me today. <3