"And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

These were Mary's words in Luke 1:38, when the angel Gabriel brought the impossible news to her.

A young teenage girl, already engaged to be married, suddenly pregnant?? What would the people say? How could she face them? Would they believe her if she would tell them that an angel appeared to her and said that the child she would bore would be from the Holy Spirit? How could they believe this? No matter how she would explain this, no one would believe her.

And among the people who might intrigue her, she worried Joseph most. What would he think of her? What would he say? What would he feel? Would he pursue his marriage with her? How could this affect their relationship?

Question after question crowded Mary's mind. Not to mention the event that were yet to unfold 33 years from now. Mary had no idea at all. However, something made her utter the most unlikely response...

With all humility and obedience, she said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

What could have made Mary say these words? What could have made her obey? Did she know what she was saying? Did she think of what the people might say about her? Most especially Joseph? Why did she jump into this deal without thinking and weighing things first? Did she know what trouble, what gossip, what sorrow, what grief this huge decision would cause her? What made her say "Yes, Lord"?

If you were Mary, can you say "Yes, Lord!" right there and then? How high is your faith? How deep is your love for God? How passionate are you to delight Him and fulfill the desires of His heart? Mary's questions were overcame by her love for God. Her desire to please Him was all that mattered. And her strong faith brought her peace that passes all understanding. No wonder, she found favor with God.

If faced in a similar situation, what would be our response? If we are tasked by God to do something, are we willing to say yes? When God chooses us to do something, He doesn't look on our capabilities, skills, and talents. He doesn't look how many times we have fallen, or how many times we have overcome. He looks for an obedient heart, instead. That must have qualified Mary. She had an obedient heart. Therefore, God saw her faithfulness and her love for Him, so she was chosen.

God taught me in many situations that a cheerful obedient heart delights Him most. Because if we obey His commandments and His will with all our hearts, it encompasses all expression of our love for Him! Worship and praise, yes, He delights in it. But if the heart of the worshipper is not obedient, this will be as bad as a stench in His nostrils.

Let us humble ourselves before God and ask His grace to be upon us every single moment. Ask for an obedient heart, that is willing to sacrifice, willing to say 'yes' to Him no matter what the future holds. Ask for the peace of God reign in our hearts--the peace that passes all understanding. And may our doubts and hang-ups be overcome by our love for the Lord and our desire to please Him.