“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

I’m pretty sure that when Mary was a little girl and she heard this read in the Synagogue she was not thinking: “I am going to be a part of bringing the Savior into the world.” She was praying and hoping with the rest of her family and all of Israel for that day to come. She could not have known that God would tap her on the shoulder, change her whole life and give her a pivotal role in history.

Mary was an ordinary 13 year old Jewish girl, who did chores; was engaged to be married, dreaming of her house and the kiddos they would have; loved her family (we know that because she ran to Elizabeth, her cousin and stayed for 3 months. Luke 1:39) and she loved God (we know that because of how the angel addressed her: “highly favored” and “you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:28-31).

As a Jewish girl who followed the law, she would have known the implications and what could happen to her when others found out she was pregnant and not married. In John 8:1-11 the religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery (picture what that looked like, and what she looked like). They wanted to stone her. Jesus stepped in and saved that woman. Mary would have heard of others that did get stoned. She knew the risk of saying yes, but she did it anyway.

What an act of bravery to say: “I am the Lord’s servant…may it be to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38. She is an amazing example of walking out her purpose with grace and trust.

“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:34-35

Just take a moment and feel the full impact of that moment. There was no turning back. She was bound, forever, to all of us in this one moment of saying yes.

Can you imagine knowing that she was going to have the Savior, the One they have been waiting and hoping for? I wonder if she thought about Micah 7:7 in a whole new, personal way? The wait was going to be over. The hope was going to be flesh, walking around in her kitchen. God had heard her and answered.

Her ordinary life took an extraordinary turn. She would never be the same. Oh, she still did ordinary things: cook dinner, wash laundry, kissed boo-boo’s but she also watched the Son of God grow up. She must have seen glimpses of Who He really was and sat back in wonder of how she, of all people, was chosen.

It is no less extraordinary for us. When we say yes to God, we are front and center to see Him move in and around us in ways that will make us sit back in wonder. Mary was an ordinary 13 year old Jewish girl who loved her family and loved her God. If she can say yes, we can too!

“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”
Psalm 63:8

I wonder if Mary needed this verse as much as I do in my life right now? We need to know He is stronger than the current that is trying to pull us under. Mary’s yes came from a place of knowing and trusting God. She was able to withstand all the hard, heart-breaking times because of it.

What if Mary said no?
She would not be any less loved, any less favored. Her relationship with God would still be intact. Her heart would still draw God to her. But she would have missed out being a part of something so spectacular. God is always more concerned about us, than what we do for Him.

It is our love for God, with a heart knowing our sinfulness and His forgiveness and grace that fuels our obedience to His asking.

Our yeses to God may be scary and hard, but also so beautiful. We have our ordinary dreams, plans and hopes, but we can live an extraordinary life and change the world. Even if it’s just our little corner of the world.

As we turn our hearts and minds towards Christmas, we know that our wait for the Savior is over. We have the Hope with us and we know that God continues to hear us.

“All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:22-23

I can think of no better time in history, than right now, to remember that God is with us!!! Check out the video below. xoxo

He loves us and hears us! We can walk in grace and trust knowing we are not alone.
Have an amazing day!!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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