Dig Deeper - Sunday 9th August
Sermon Reflection: Mary: Courage to Say Yes
Luke 1: 26-38
Link to service
Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 9th August service -
Mary was given an unexpected and difficult message: she would become the mother of Jesus. Although she was confused and had understandable questions, she ultimately responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Her response demonstrates that saying yes to God is ultimately an act of surrender, trust and courage.
Point 1. Saying yes to God requires the courage to surrender
Mary’s response shows us that saying yes to God is not always easy or comfortable. God’s plan for her was completely unexpected, and she couldn’t possibly know everything that would happen as a result. Yet she ultimately chose to surrender herself to God’s purposes.
It can be for us to believe that we are in control of our lives. We may have plans, ambitions and ideas about how our lives should work out. Following Jesus changes our perspective. We recognise that our lives belong to God, which means we need to be willing to surrender our own plans when God leads us somewhere different.
Surrender requires humility. We have to acknowledge that we don't always know what is best and that God's perspective is greater than ours. That doesn't mean we stop making decisions or thinking carefully; rather, it means we hold our plans with open hands and allow God to redirect us.
Mary's example challenges us to ask: Am I willing to say yes to God even when I don't know exactly where that yes will lead?
Point 2: We can receive unexpected messages from God
Mary wasn't expecting Gabriel to appear and give her such an extraordinary message. God can speak to us in ways we don't necessarily expect.
God speaks in many ways, including:
Through the Bible
Through other people
Through the Holy Spirit
We need prayer wisdom and discernment to hear God clearly,
Point 3: Even when we are doubtful, we should still listen
Mary didn't simply understand everything immediately. She was confused and asked for clarification. Sometimes when we sense God prompting us, we might wonder whether God really said it. Do not allow uncertainty to completely prevent us from responding. Instead, we can ask questions, seek clarification, pray and listen. Samuel in 1 Samuel 3, initially doesn't recognise that it is God speaking to him. Eli helps him respond with: “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” We can approach God with a heart of openness: Lord, I am here. I am listening. Help me to recognise your voice.
Point 4: Knowing that we are the Lord’s servants gives us courage
Mary's words, “I am the Lord's servant,” are words of as ultimate expression of surrender. Mary had fears and questions, but her identity was rooted in belonging to God. Her identity changed how she viewed the situation. Instead of allowing fear to define her response, she trusted the God who had called her. Fear often causes us to focus on our limitations. The answer isn't simply to convince ourselves that we're capable of everything. The answer is to look beyond ourselves to Jesus as the source of our identity. Isaiah 6:8 says, “Here I am, send me”. God may call us to something very ordinary: staying somewhere, praying for someone, inviting someone into our home, or taking a particular step of obedience or he might call us to bigger things. The key is the posture behind the words. Here I am send me simply means, “God, I am available. I am willing. I trust you enough to take the next step.”
Questions for Reflection:
1. Read Luke 1:26–38. What do you think made Mary’s “yes” courageous, and what does her response teach us about surrendering to God?
2. What does it look like in practice to surrender control of our lives to God? What makes surrender difficult?
3. God speaks in many different ways. How can we become better at listening while also exercising wisdom and discernment?
4. Read 1 Samuel 3:9–10. What does “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” reveal about the attitude we should have when approaching God?
5. Read Isaiah 6:8. What might “Here I am, send me” look like in your life today? Is there an area where God might be asking you to respond with courage and trust?
Prayer:
Lord, help us to surrender our plans to You and trust Your voice. Give us courage, like Mary, to say yes even when we feel uncertain. Help us to be ready and willing to follow wherever You lead.
Amen.
