Yes or No?

My response to God's invitation is...

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.-Luke1:26-38

I remembered the responses of the Biblical figures who were selected by God for a mission. When Sarah heard that she would bear a son, she laughed and thought that the joke was on her. Moses came up with a lot of excuses. Jacob wrestled the angel. Gideon was afraid. Jeremiah made an excuse out of his youth. Mary responded with her wholehearted "Yes" to the plan of God. Peter acknowledged his sinfulness and unworthiness. Zacchaeus repented and returned the money to those whom he cheated. The thief acknowledged Jesus at the point of death. Paul embraced the new faith. So different are their responses. But how are we going to respond to the call of God? What if His invitation is not to our liking? What if the mission is bigger than life? Mary is inviting us to respond to God with a big "Yes." When God plucks us out for a mission, He intended it for us and us alone.

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