We are called to greatness. We are called to a life of excellence – not perfection, but a life of loving God and others well.
We all know of Mary’s “Yes” to the angel Gabriel to become the mother of Jesus. And we know of Joseph’s “Yes” to the angel to not divorce Mary and to take her as his wife. However, the Bible does not include stories about Mary and Joseph before these grand moments.
I was thinking about what their lives were like up until the times the angels visited them. Growing up Jewish, following the laws and customs taught to them, and learning the trade of carpentry or lifestyle of mother and wife. Their normal everyday lives must have included at least one small “yes” everyday to the Lord, (maybe reading scripture, praying alone or with others, spending time in the temple (?)), otherwise how would they have the courage and trust to know who God is and obey Him when He asked them to. Maybe being attentive to each small “yes” to God really matters.
We all see people going through hard things, and we stop in curiosity of the ones enduring through it with such grace. Similarly, we can look in awe at Mary and Joseph’s difficult situations surrounding the announcement of the angel to Mary, the visit to Elizabeth, their journey to Bethlehem, the arrival of Jesus, and the departure to Egypt. How could the big “yes” happen, the surrender to endure the challenging circumstances, without each small everyday “yes” on the journey to that point?
My little “yes” to love God and love others each day will look different from yours. God’s writing a unique story of each of our lives. I hope that each and every little “yes” deepens your relationship with God, and strengthens your muscles to trust Him and to depend on Him.
May we be attentive – God, what are you asking me to say “yes” to today?
Father God, I depend on you to craft my life into one of greatness. I ask for clarity, to see how you are asking me to follow you today. May love be my greatest motivator, a pure and unselfish love. May I trust you are writing a beautiful story of my life, and that each small “yes” matters. May I love you as much as I possibly can in this life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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Come Holy Spirit. May I be attentive to your gentle nudges today – maybe you want me to…
- Go for a walk with a friend
- Pray through a text, email, or phone call to someone who needs hope
- Coach a soccer team (kids need someone to believe in them and encourage them!)
- Be present to your co-workers, ask them about their lives with great interest
- Listen to a faith-filled podcast (I love ‘Abiding Together’, ‘You Were Born for This’, ‘Slaking Thirsts’, and ‘Made for This’)
- Sign up for that bible study or church group you were wondering about
- Take a nap
- Drive your kids to their activities without grumbling
- Confess your sins
- Listen to your spouse more than talk
- Say that apology that’s been eating away at you
- Wake up 15 minutes earlier to read the Bible and journal (if this is new to you, I recommend starting with the gospel of John)
- Ask God for divine appointments; invite interruptions with a holy curiosity
- Stop in a church for 5 minutes to tell God what’s on your heart
- Crank up the Jesus music (lately my kids and I have been listening to Rend Collective)
- Wear a tshirt with an encouraging message on it
- Look others in the eyes and smile
- Watch and be inspired by ‘The Chosen’
I believe you can do it!
I believe these small things matter and bring God great joy!
I believe He’ll carry you along the way!
My Heart, My Home 