December 9, 2024 Devo

Is there one Bible character you think you are most like? Thomas the Doubter? Peter the Loudmouth? Jonah the Runner? Or maybe you see yourself as one of the more stable and strong characters. Like Daniel the Faithful, Deborah the Leader, or Stephen the Courageous. Me? I think I identify best with Jacob the Wrestler. Because I spend a lot of time wrestling with God.
I think that’s why I admire Mary so much. After the angel Gabriel comes and completely rocks her world with the news of what God is going to do in and through her, what’s her response? “I am the Lord’s servant.” What a model of a surrendered heart. She didn’t fuss at God. She didn’t tell Him she needed a while to think about it. She didn’t tell Him this was a bad idea or even that she had a better idea. She listened to the angel, and when it sunk in what the angel was asking of her, she simply surrendered herself to the plans and purposes of God.
Surrendered. Isn’t that a great word? Would it be a word that would be used to describe YOU? When God speaks to you, nudges you, or calls you, how do you respond? Do you run? Do you ignore Him? Do you simply say, “No,” and go on your way? Or do you respond to the Lord as Mary did with, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
Surrendered doesn’t mean you understand what God is up to. It simply means you trust God’s leadership. Surrendered doesn’t mean you have confidence in your abilities, gifts, or intelligence. It means you believe that whatever God calls you to, He can accomplish through you. Surrendered doesn’t mean you don’t have fears or doubts. It just means you choose to live by faith rather than wallow in those fears. Though surrendered may sound like a passive or weak word, it is actually exactly the opposite. The surrendered life is powerful because it places itself in the hands of Almighty God.
As you begin your day, I challenge you to begin with the posture of Mary. Bow your head, lift your hands, and release yourself to the control of God with this short, life-changing prayer. “I am the Lord’s servant.” Stop wrestling and start surrendering. That’s God’s Word for you today.