Mary’s Yes: Lessons in Faith and Courage from the Mother of God

In the midst of the Advent season, when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, it’s impossible to overlook the profound and life-changing “Yes” spoken by Mary, the Mother of God. This moment—when the angel Gabriel visited Mary with the news that she would conceive the Son of God—marks not only the beginning of the greatest story ever told but also a powerful example of trust, faith, and surrender.

Mary’s response to God’s call is one of the most powerful lessons in faith and courage. Her willingness to say “yes” to God’s plan for her life teaches us invaluable lessons about what it means to trust in God’s will, even when it seems uncertain or overwhelming.

The Power of Mary’s “Yes”

In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement that she will become the mother of the Messiah. Her words are simple but profound: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). In this moment, Mary’s “Yes” is an act of total surrender—an act of trust in God’s plan for her life, despite the unknowns and the challenges ahead.

For Mary, saying “Yes” wasn’t just a one-time decision; it was a continuous act of surrender. From the moment of her divine conception, through the birth of Jesus in a humble stable, to the pain and heartache of watching her son suffer and die on the cross, Mary’s “Yes” was the foundation of her entire journey. Each moment, each trial, and each triumph was carried by her unwavering faith in God’s plan.

Trusting in God’s Plan

Mary’s response invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our own willingness to trust in His plan. We may not be asked to bear the physical Christ into the world as Mary was, but we are all called to respond to God’s plan for our lives with faith and trust.

At times, God’s will may not be clear, and His plan may seem difficult or even impossible to understand. But like Mary, we are invited to surrender to Him with open hearts. Mary didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t know what the future would hold or how everything would unfold. But she trusted that God, in His infinite wisdom, would guide her every step.

In the same way, we are called to trust God with the details of our lives, even when they seem uncertain. Just as Mary trusted in God’s promise of salvation through her son, we are invited to trust that God’s plan for us is good, even when we can’t see the bigger picture.

Courage in the Face of Uncertainty

Mary’s “Yes” wasn’t just an act of faith—it was also an act of courage. Saying “Yes” to God’s will meant stepping into the unknown and facing challenges that were beyond her control. When Mary said “Yes” to God, she was fully aware of the possible social stigma, the judgment she might face as an unmarried woman pregnant with child. She was also aware of the physical and emotional challenges she would endure as a young mother in a challenging world.

Yet, despite the risks, Mary’s courage in the face of uncertainty is something we can all learn from. Saying “Yes” to God often requires great courage, especially when it means stepping outside our comfort zones or facing difficult circumstances. It’s easy to let fear or doubt hold us back, but Mary’s example shows us that courage doesn’t come from our own strength but from trusting in God’s presence with us.

In our own lives, we may face situations where God’s call requires courage. It could be a call to serve in a way that challenges our own expectations or leads us down an unfamiliar path. It could be an invitation to forgive someone who has hurt us or to take a step of faith when we feel uncertain. In these moments, we can find courage in Mary’s example, knowing that God is with us every step of the way, just as He was with her.

A Lesson in Surrender

Mary’s “Yes” is not just an invitation to trust and to have courage but also a profound lesson in surrender. Surrender is not about giving up; it’s about yielding to God’s will and acknowledging that His plan is greater than our own. In a world that often encourages self-reliance and control, surrendering to God’s plan can feel counterintuitive.

However, just as Mary’s surrender led to the birth of the Savior, our surrender to God’s will leads to a life of peace and fulfillment. Surrender is about recognizing that we are not in control, but that God’s plan for us is always good. It’s about saying “Yes” to His invitation, even when we don’t fully understand where it will lead.

Living Our Own “Yes”

Mary’s “Yes” is not only a historical event that we commemorate; it’s also a call to action in our own lives. Each day, we are presented with opportunities to say “Yes” to God’s will, to trust in His plan, to have courage in the face of uncertainty, and to surrender our own desires for His greater good.

As we journey through Advent, we are invited to reflect on how we can imitate Mary’s faith, trust, courage, and surrender in our own lives. It may be through prayer, service, or making space for God in our busy lives. It may be through stepping out in faith when we feel unsure or responding to a call to serve others.

Mary’s “Yes” reminds us that faith is not just about believing in God but about actively participating in His plan. It’s about opening our hearts to His will, trusting that His plan will unfold, and courageously walking the path He sets before us.

Mary’s response to God’s call teaches us some of the most important lessons of the Christian life: faith, trust, courage, and surrender. As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ this Advent, let us reflect on Mary’s “Yes” and how we can say “Yes” to God’s plan for our own lives.

When we say “Yes” to God, as Mary did, we open ourselves to the possibility of new life—life that comes from trusting in God, surrendering our plans, and having the courage to walk the path He has set for us. May this Advent season be a time for us to reflect on our own faith journey and to grow in the courage and trust to say “Yes” to God’s call, just as Mary did so long ago.