Preparing Our Hearts

The Profound Lesson of Mary's Yes

In the quiet village of Nazareth, an ordinary day became extraordinary. A young woman—engaged, planning her future, living her simple life—received a visitor who would change everything. The angel Gabriel appeared with news that defied logic, challenged social norms, and required a level of trust most of us struggle to comprehend.

This moment, recorded in Luke 1:26-38, offers us far more than a familiar Christmas story. It reveals a pattern for how God works in human lives and how we can prepare ourselves for His purposes—both the ones we anticipate and the ones that catch us completely off guard.

When God Takes the Initiative

The story begins with a crucial detail often overlooked: "The angel Gabriel was sent by God." Mary wasn't praying for this moment. She hadn't signed up to be the mother of the Messiah. She wasn't performing religious rituals, hoping to earn divine favor. God simply chose to act.

This is the consistent pattern throughout Scripture. God called Abraham while he was living among idol worshipers. He appeared to Moses while Moses was hiding in the wilderness, running from his past. He sent prophets to Israel when the nation wasn't listening. And now, He comes to a teenage girl in an insignificant town.

The theological truth here is profound: salvation doesn't begin with us seeking God. It starts with God seeking us. Jesus Himself said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save those who are lost." If we're lost, we can't meaningfully find our way to God on our own. We need Him to find us first.

This doesn't eliminate human response—it enables it. The Lord opens hearts so people can respond. God draws us, and then we come. Divine initiative and human response work together, but they must happen in that order. Our hope rests not in our ability to find God, but in His faithfulness to find us.

The Meaning of Being "Favored"

Gabriel's greeting to Mary has sparked theological debate for centuries: "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you." What does it mean to be "favored" or "full of grace"?

The Greek word used here indicates someone who has received grace—it's a passive construction. Mary didn't earn this favor through her own merit or purity. She wasn't chosen because of her status, age, accomplishments, or social standing. She was chosen because God is gracious.

This matters deeply because it shapes how we understand our own relationship with God. We don't earn His favor through religious performance. We receive it as a gift. Mary's response of being "deeply troubled" reveals her humility—she didn't assume she deserved these words. She was bewildered and confused.

God's choice of Mary demonstrates a pattern repeated throughout Scripture: He delights to use ordinary people who trust Him. He doesn't wait for us to become worthy. He gives grace to the humble, works through the unlikely, and accomplishes His purposes through those who simply make themselves available.

The Impossible Made Possible

Mary's question was honest and practical: "How can this be, since I have not been with a man?" Gabriel's answer points to the supernatural power of God: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."

The language echoes creation itself—the Spirit hovering over the waters. It recalls God's presence filling the tabernacle. This conception would be entirely God's work, a miraculous intervention that brings life where there is no natural possibility of life.

To strengthen Mary's faith, Gabriel pointed to her relative Elizabeth, who was pregnant despite being elderly and previously barren. God often nurtures our faith by showing us His work in others before we experience it personally. Testimonies of grace become invitations to deeper trust.

Then came the anchor statement: "For nothing will be impossible with God." This echoes God's words to Sarah centuries earlier when she faced her own impossible promise. Every promise God makes is backed by His divine power. Our limitations don't threaten His faithfulness.

The Response That Changes Everything

After hearing about God's revealed plan and His power to accomplish it, Mary gave a response that models faith for all of us: "I am the Lord's servant. May it happen to me as you have said."

Mary identified herself not by her abilities, circumstances, or fears, but by her relationship to God. The word she used was that of a "bondservant" or "slave"—a position of total surrender. She placed her entire life under God's authority.

This wasn't resignation; it was trust. Mary accepted a calling that would cost her socially, relationally, and emotionally. She would face stigma, questions, and potential danger. Yet she yielded not with hesitation but with willing faith.

God rarely gives us a full roadmap. Mary didn't know what the future held. But He gave His word and revealed His character, and that was enough. Trust grows where obedience meets uncertainty.

Preparing for His Coming

We may not be receiving angelic visitations, but God still initiates His work in our lives. He still reveals His plans through His Word, demonstrates His power, and invites us into humble, willing faith.

How do we prepare for Christ's coming—both His historical arrival we celebrate at Christmas and His promised return? We prepare by responding in faith to God's Word.

This means receiving God's grace with humility rather than striving for spiritual performance. It means submitting to God's revealed plan even when it exceeds our understanding. It means relying on God's power when obedience feels impossible. And it means responding with willing obedience, offering ourselves as instruments of His purpose.

Mary's surrender was costly, but also joyful, because she trusted the goodness of the One who called her. The same God who chose an ordinary young woman in Nazareth is still at work today, choosing ordinary people, revealing extraordinary purposes, and inviting us to trust Him completely.

The question isn't whether we're qualified or worthy; the question is whether we're willing to say, like Mary, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be done according to Your word."