She Said Yes

It began with Yes. When God asked, nothing else mattered. She let it all go—her reputation, her plans to marry Joseph, the wedding dance surrounded by family and friends. None of that mattered anymore. In that moment, only one thing mattered—her Yes.

            When we choose to say yes to God, we must say no to anything that gets in the way of doing God’s will. When God asks, will you say yes? Will you let everything else go? Will you focus on the one thing God asks of you? I wonder if I would be courageous enough to do what Mary did. Would I say yes to God and risk it all? Would I let go of my agenda for God’s agenda, no matter how crazy it might sound? Mary did.

            “The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:28-30 NIV)

            Can you imagine? An angel appears and tells you that God has picked you. Yes, you! No doubt, a gulp catches in your throat, you shake with fear like Mary and wonder what kind of greeting this might be. Then the instruction, “Do Not Be Afraid.” Letting go of everything else and trusting God can be scary. No wonder Mary was highly favored. She was afraid and said yes anyway.

            This Advent season I invite you to let go. Do less. Be present more. Buy less and give your time and love more. Say yes to the one thing God puts before you this Christmas season—His son.

            What extra activity, task, invitation or self-expectation is God asking you to let go of so you can focus on God’s agenda? I pray as you say no to the frenetic pace of the worldly Christmas season, that you experience the joy and wonder of Mary’s Yes—Christ Jesus.