From the Promise to the Manager: Mary’s Yes

Ordinary Faith, Extraordinary Purpose

There are moments in life when God whispers to our hearts, and everything in us wonders, “Me? Are You sure?”
Maybe He’s nudging you to forgive someone who hurt you, to serve in a new way, or to step into something you feel completely unqualified for. You want to trust Him… but sometimes fear starts talking louder than faith.

If that’s you, you’re in good company.
Because that’s exactly where we find a young woman named Mary in Luke 1.

A Surprising Call

Mary wasn’t a queen or a prophet. She wasn’t wealthy or influential. She was simply a young, engaged woman from Nazareth, a quiet town where no one expected greatness.

And yet… God chose her.

When the angel Gabriel appeared and announced she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary’s first reaction wasn’t confidence. It was confusion:

“How can this be?”

But Gabriel reminded her of a truth we all need to carry close:

“Nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary didn’t have the full story.
She didn’t know how Joseph would respond, what her community would think, or how her life would change.

What she did know was Who was asking.

And so she said the words that echo through eternity:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as You have said.”

Quiet. Courageous. Wholehearted.
That’s obedience.

Faith Often Looks Ordinary

We often picture Mary as extraordinary, and she was. But the beauty of her story is this: God’s extraordinary work often begins with an ordinary yes.

The same pattern shows up in the lives of Hannah and Ruth:

• Hannah prayed through deep heartbreak and surrendered her long-awaited son, Samuel, back to God.
• Ruth followed her mother-in-law Naomi into a foreign land, trusting a God she barely knew.

Neither woman could see the legacy their faithfulness would create. Yet their simple yeses helped make way for the Messiah.

And Mary’s yes continued that story of redemption.
What looked like a small act of trust became the doorway for God’s greatest gift to humanity.

When God Asks for Your Yes

Mary’s story isn’t just something we read once a year during Christmas. It’s a reminder of how God still works with us today.

He continues to invite ordinary people, people like you and me, into His extraordinary plans.

And just like Mary, your “yes” doesn’t have to be perfect.
It just has to be willing.

Maybe God is nudging you toward something that feels bigger than you.
Maybe He’s asking you to stay steady in a season that doesn’t make sense.
Maybe your “yes” is simply choosing to trust Him with the next small step.

Whatever your yes looks like, remember:

Obedience is often the doorway to blessing.
Mary’s story shows us that surrender doesn’t shrink your life, it enlarges it.

A Thought to Hold Onto

When you feel small or unqualified, let this truth settle in your heart:

God delights in using ordinary, faithful people to carry out His extraordinary plan.

You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You don’t need to be fearless.
You don’t need to be flawless.

You just need to be willing.

Because every yes to God, no matter how small, becomes part of something eternal.

Grab Your Free Family Devotional Guide Today

Ready to keep the conversation going at home? This guide is packed with scripture, discussion prompts, and a fun family activity to help you explore God’s promises together.

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Show the Preteen Girl in Your Life How Deeply God Values Her

The preteen years can feel like a roller coaster—questions, insecurities, shifting friendships, and big emotions all wrapped into one season. In the middle of all that noise, every girl needs a steady reminder of who she truly is and Who she belongs to.

That’s why Girl UnPerfected was created.

This devotional is designed for girls ages 9–12 who are learning how to navigate life, faith, and growing up. It gently leads them back to Jesus, helping them understand that even when life feels confusing or they feel less than enough, God calls them chosen, loved, and wonderfully made.

Inside, she’ll find:

Whether you’re gifting it to a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or a preteen you care deeply about, this book gives her a safe place to grow in faith and discover her true identity in Christ.

Give her a resource that speaks life into her heart. Pick up your copy of Girl UnPerfected and help her step into the beautiful person God created her to be.

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