“What Totally Surrendering to God Looks Like”
FOCUS (the core of the content to be communicated)
Years ago I saw “Have a Mary Christmas” as the title for one of that year’s Christmas messages at a local church. Something tells me what the pastor was trying to convey from Mary’s point of view & place in the story & birth of Christ is what I am inspired to share today. Mary’s whole life became one great big yes to God’s will for & through her. She didn’t tell Gabriel she’d get back to him concerning the news that God the Father had chosen her to be the mother His Son Jesus. She said yes.
The way I see it, we should move it from being about just having a “Mary Christmas” to having a “Mary Rest of Your Life.” Her example becomes our call to surrender & follow through as she did. That initial surrender had to be reaffirmed every day from that day on. No matter the cost, she was always all in.
And so it is for us. For this coming new year to be all God intends, we need to embrace a total body, soul & spirit surrender to Him. May it be an ever-increasing surrender as all of our remaining days unfold.
Mary’s response to God’s will for her shows & tells us that …
1. saying yes to God’s will for you is the best & wisest thing to do.
Like in marriage, it’s not “I’ll try” or “we’ll see,” it’s “I will” or “I do.” - Luke 1:38
2. the commitment to keep saying yes always comes with a cost.
Every new day (and new year) is a new opportunity live a life of yes to God.
Romans 12:1-2 Luke 14:25-33 (Luke 9:23) 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (especially v12)
Making It Real
1] Do you believe this is true? If so, how does your life validate its veracity?
2] Will you cry out to God for the grace to make your life a great big yes to Him?
Action Step
Make this your prayer this week: “Father in heaven, whatever You say I will do, whatever You do I’ll receive - work a miracle of life in me, Your every word I’ll believe; be in me, work in me, take all I have to give, I long to serve You Lord by the life I live.”
Notes
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Cornerstone Community Church 5344 Fishcreek Rd Stow OH 44224 <>< ><> Pastor Dan Page January 1, 2023 www.ccc-stow.faithlifesites.com