And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”
(Luke 1:38, NASB)
Nine months before our Savior’s birth, an angel appeared to a young Jewish girl, Mary, whom Scripture describes as a virgin, engaged to a man named Joseph. Prior to that angelic visit, Mary must have felt great excitement as she anticipated her marriage. But suddenly her dreams come crashing down around her as the angel declares that she has found favor with God and is chosen to be the mother of the promised Messiah, Jesus. Mary knows immediately that this news, though wonderful in many ways, will also bring her great humiliation and suffering, as people will criticize and judge her for being pregnant and unmarried.
What will she do as the angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come on her and the baby Jesus will be conceived in her womb? Will her fear cause her to reject God’s plan, or will her faith lead her to accept God’s will? Will she be unwilling to face the rejection of many or courageously trust God as she embraces an unknown and difficult future?
Mary presses through her fear, grabs hold of faith, and quietly says, “Yes, Lord.” She evidences that her commitment to God is central to her life for she describes herself as the Lord’s bondslave. God asks each of us the same question: “Will you trust your life to Me no matter the cost?”
At this Christmas season as a new year lies ahead, are you willing to say, “Yes, Lord,” no matter what other people may say or do? Are you willing to accept His plan even if it includes hardship and sacrifice? Is Christ truly at the center of your life? What answer will you give as God offers you an uncertain and/or challenging future? God invites you, like Mary, to be part of His great plan.