Would I Say Yes?

I have often wondered what it must have been like to be Mary in this scene. She was a young, teenage girl when an angel suddenly appeared to her. I am sure that then, like now, seeing an angel wasn’t an everyday occurrence—which was probably why he told Mary not to be afraid.

Then, he told Mary wonderful news… She would give birth to a son, and this son was going to be AWESOME, the kind of son every mother dreamt of having. He was going to be a king who would take over David’s throne and reign forever.

Future of Uncertainty

But wait. The news might not have sounded so wonderful because Mary wasn’t married. She could lose the man she was betrothed to. People would ask questions about where this baby came from and whisper behind her back. She would probably get a lot of looks. It would mean giving up her life as she knew it and stepping into a future of uncertainty.

However, after the angel explained things to her, her response was, “I am the Lord’s servant… May your word to me be fulfilled.”

I remember what I was like at her age, how desperately I had wanted to feel cool and fit in that I slowly abandoned the faith I had known as a child. I think about the years I strayed far away from God and regret all the time I wasted. If I were in Mary’s place, I probably wouldn’t have been able to answer the angel with so much faith, trust, and humility. 

“I don’t know. What would people think of me?” might have been my reply.

What Am I Missing?

I would have missed the opportunity to be a part of changing human history because I was so distracted by the world. So, today, I ask myself if I’m missing any of the ways God wants to use me. If an angel appeared and offered me a chance to be instrumental in changing the world, would I have the courage to say “yes”? 

During this Advent season, I pray for the strength to honestly tell God, “I am your servant. Use me as you wish.” I will look for anything that might hold me back from having the faith to mean these words.

Reflect:
Do you long to say “yes” to being used by God? What holds you back from saying it with complete abandon?