What Extraordinary Adventures Are We Missing Out On?
Do you struggle to trust God when He leads you in a new direction? Is it hard to believe that God has a plan for you – at your age?
When the angel Gabriel told Mary that God had chosen her, a virgin, to give birth to the Messiah (see Luke 1:26-38), Mary could have presented valid reasons why this didn’t fit into her plans:
She could have explained to Gabriel how it might cause Joseph to call off their wedding. Or Mary could have refused God’s plan because she didn’t want to endure the gossip about her out-of-wedlock pregnancy.
Yet, Mary (possibly only 12-16 years old) responded to Gabriel’s news by saying,
Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. (Luke 1:38 ESV)
I admire Mary’s mature faith and respect her confidence in God, even when circumstances seemed unbelievable. It’s amazing how this young woman recognized her Lord’s right to guide her life in the way He had chosen for her.
I want to have the same type of yielded spirit.
Even more, I want to emulate Mary’s complete trust in her Father’s love for her, which gave her the confidence to say yes to God when He revealed His extraordinary will for her.
I wonder, when the circumstances surrounding God’s will for us seem extraordinary, do we respond with the same faith? I fear that many of us (myself included) are more likely to present our case as to why we can’t – or won’t – comply.
Just as it happened to Mary in the Christmas story, God’s direction for us may include facing rejection from those closest to us, being misjudged by our neighbors or having to start over in an unfamiliar place.
What would happen if we trusted God’s love for us? If we believed He could do whatever was necessary to pave the way for His will to be done in our lives? Even if it seems impossible. Even if it costs us everything.
Consider what Mary would have missed if she’d said no to God’s plan. And how it would have changed not only her life and eternal destiny, but ours as well.
Choosing a different path than the one God has for us can lead to negative – and possibly disastrous – outcomes for us and those impacted by our choices.
Not to mention that we’d miss out on some unbelievably extraordinary adventures.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- How have you responded to God when He directed you in a different life-direction?
- How different would your life be if you always said “yes” to God’s plan for you?
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Beautiful! Such a great meditation on Out Lady’s ‘Yes’. And a fitting truth to during this Advent! Thank you, Sheryl!
Hello, Patty. Welcome to Today Can Be Different!
Mary was a wonderful example of someone who trusted in her Savior. I pray daily to always say “yes” to wherever God leads me.
Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you often, Patty.
Also, thank you so much for subscribing to Today Can Be Different AND for helping me with my 1,000 Author Email List Goal!
I appreciate you, Patty.
How have you responded to God when He directed you in a different life-direction?
How different would your life be if you always said “yes” to God’s plan for you?
Mary’s faith and then Joseph’s were remarkable. I have to say that my faith is growing and getting stronger every day. I will keep saying that humming has improved my fellowship 100%. I hum outloud when I’m alone and very often silently when I’m not or while shopping. The other day as I was humming outloud I noticed my husband nearby. He asked me why I was singing/humming and I told him that it keeps Satan away and the Lord present. He answered ‘good’.
My focus is on Jesus.
Your husband’s response is very interesting, Sandra. I wonder what he meant by it. I pray it meant he sees the value of praising (singing/humming) more and more as he watches your “life.”
I have recently been pausing throughout my day to worship my Lord. It is making a difference in my attitude.
Thank you for sharing, Sandra. I always appreciate it when you do.
Even Joseph believed the angel and accepted Mary as his wife when she was with child. I hope even when something seems impossible that I am willing to follow God’s lead for my life! “When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and embraced Mary as his wife. / But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8. Thanks Sheryl! We should all be willing to answer the call! ✝️
Hi, Kim. I, too, hope to always trust God as He leads me – no matter what.
I especially love the last verse you quoted from Isaiah. May God give us the grace to always say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me!”
Thank you for stopping by, Kim!