Living by Surrender

Mary, the mother of Jesus. A young girl, highly favored. Chosen by God.

In Mark 1, we read every advent season of this young girl in a desert place devoted to God with no apparent promise other than a future marriage to a young man named Joseph.

An angel appeared to Mary one night, telling her that she would be with child even though she had not been with Joseph or any other man. She would have a son, the Son of God, and she was told to name him Jesus. He would be given the throne of David, reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there would be no end to His Kingdom. Ever.

If you’re like me, those are high promises on a scale that seem unattainable. Do you get the impression Mary’s faith was strong? It’s evident she was a young lady, betrothed to a man of whom she would make bread nearly every day, carry basins of water on her shoulders, wash his dirt-covered clothing, be the keeper of their tent, and bear his children. Perhaps Mary already had a heavy load on her life even before the angel came along.

She asked the angel how this would happen, considering she was a virgin. The angel told her that by the Holy Spirit she would become with child. Mary was troubled. The angel then shared with Mary how her cousin Elizabeth was already with child and that she would also have a boy. I often wonder if that was a reassurance for Mary – knowing that someone she knew and loved would be walking beside her in a similar situation. She wouldn’t bear this alone. The angel reassured her in verse 37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary simply replied to the angel to let it be unto her. Total surrender. Total worship to her God she adored.

In the current day, unfortunately, we don’t necessarily have an angel visit to tell us how God wants us to do something for Him. Sometimes He speaks into our mind, gives us a desire and a passion for a particular ministry, or even an opportune moment of sharing the gospel with someone. His voice echoes as we read the Word. And He speaks through others.

Do we get excited? Yes. Do we get busy planning? Yes. But then does fear set in? Yes. Let me tell you that every time I feel God’s prompting to start or be involved in a ministry, I have to make myself not dive right in, and not allow myself to take another step before I ask how will this happen? If we jump right into the deep end without asking for His counsel, it could be disastrous. The first step should be a simple response like Mary’s, “Be it unto me.”

Then wait. Not an hour, not a day, but long enough where God continues to gift you with the thoughts and plans. Also, let me encourage you to adhere to this verse of promise.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” ~ Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Pray. Commit to Him the works, the plans, the conversations, everything and everyone involved, and He will provide all that you need. Just like the Lord did for Mary. He provided a husband, a donkey, a manger, and even treasures carried by kings. If you desire a certain event or person and it doesn’t happen, it wasn’t His plan. And that’s okay. He knows the reason why it wouldn’t have worked.

I’m thankful for Mary because she didn’t deny the Lord’s plan. She didn’t turn her back and run away. She simply accepted and embraced it. I imagine it deepened her faith and drew her even closer to the Lord. In the ridicule hour and in the labor hour. She must have recounted the words of the angel in her mind, to convince her own will not to quit. She believed.

My message here is not to worship Mary, but by her example, worship Jesus. She was purposely a girl used by mortal means to save many she may never know. Needless to say, her journey was not easy, but she surrendered and delivered the One whose intent was to deliver each one of us. As we celebrate our Savior’s miraculous birth this holy season, Mary’s life story reminds us, still today, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Written by Sherri Cullison

Sherri Cullison is a survivor. She survived the death of her youngest daughter, Sarah, at age 14 in 1999. Sarah tragically took her own life and left behind a devastated family and stunned community. In the midst of her grief, devastation, and loss, Sherri learned and now shares how with Jesus, broken hearts can be made whole through hope, healing, and restoration.

Sherri is a retired legal administrative assistant, teacher of music, and a published author. Her book, SOS, A Mother’s Story of Survival, Rescue, and Hope in the Darkness of Teen Suicide, has taken her around the world, speaking to thousands about the goodness of God in the depth of dark valleys. Sherri is also a contributing author to the advent devotional book through the lineage of Christ, God With us Immanuel.

Sherri is the founder of Heart4Hope Outreach and is also a group leader for the organization Grieving Moms Finding Hope.