Following His Lead

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38

IN WORD

Sometimes we come to God with a plan, our own agenda. We want the dream in our hearts to be fulfilled, so we ask Him if He will endorse it and bring it to pass. We petition Him for something that came from our own thoughts. We might say “not my will but Yours,” and we may even mean it; but we still hope He accomplishes our will.

There’s nothing wrong with that. David did it with his idea for a temple, and God said yes, though He delayed it until the next generation. And whenever we have a deep need or an urgent situation, it’s natural to call out to Him for help. He encourages that. But when He is the one with the plan—when He comes with His agenda and presents it to us—that’s when we know for certain He is working through us and on our behalf. We are always on solid ground when we follow His lead.

That’s where Mary found herself. This wasn’t her idea. How could it be? Only the mind of God could have come up with this plan, and He didn’t plant it within her before He announced it to her. But she responded with an attitude that should mark us for life. She declared her loyalty in service to Him and simply asked that His word to her be fulfilled. She put herself completely at His disposal.

IN DEED

To most of the world, that looks like powerlessness. To those who know God, it’s where true power comes from. When He initiates and we say yes, He accomplishes great things in supernatural strength. He opens doors and makes the impossible possible. He accomplishes more through one compliant servant than He does through a hundred reluctant ones with a companion agenda. We are never in a greater position of power than when we ask that His will come true through us just as He has said.

Look for opportunities to say that. Ask Him what He wants to do, look for His answer, and join in. The Kingdom comes in power through those who open up to whatever He wants to do.

ADDITIONAL READING: Isaiah 6:8

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.

C. T. STUDD