Saying Yes To God

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was one of God’s princesses chosen for a very special job. Mary was a common Jewish girl. But because she loved the Lord, she was chosen for the greatest privilege of all—being the earthly mother of the Son of God.

In our society, it’s often the smartest, wealthiest, most talented, and most beautiful people who get chosen for the highest honors, but that’s not how God chooses. In fact, he told Samuel this when it was time to choose a king: “The LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7). God had chosen David, a young shepherd boy who did not look like royalty, to be king. In the same way, God looked at Mary’s heart when he chose her to be the mother of the Savior.

What does God look for in the heart? Love for him and love for others. Obedience to him and his Word and a willingness to do what he asks without questioning. Of course, he knows his princesses aren’t perfect, so he understands that sometimes your faith wavers, you question him, or you fail to be obedient. He knows your motives and desires, and those are what really count.

If you want to be used by God, start by doing the things you already know he wants you to do. Obey your parents and teachers. Put others ahead of yourself. Spend time reading the Bible and praying. Attend church, and really listen to what’s being said.

God speaks to you through nudges to your heart, so if you get a feeling that there’s something you’re supposed to do, that may be God prompting you to action. If you feel guilty ignoring it, the Holy Spirit is urging you to obey.

Want to do big things for the Lord? Focus on following God and listening for his directions for you. Then be like Mary, and say yes to God.

Do you ever feel God prompting you to do something? Do you say yes even when it seems hard? Read about how Mary said yes to God in Luke 1:26-56. This section of Scripture also includes the special song Mary sang when she found out that she would be the mother of Jesus.