HIMPower Magazine January/February 2019 | Page 8

have already decided long before that we are willing to go wherever our Father leads. Then we will not tarry too long at the bend, indulging in the fears and “what ifs” of what our obedience may cost. This is true in the small daily decisions, as well as the looming life changing ones. I recently spoke to a dear friend of mine who had signed up as a volunteer at a women’s retreat. She had already told God in advance that she was willing to do what- ever he asked of her, even if it was to clean bathrooms. To her surprise, she received a phone call from one of the retreat coordina- tors, asking her to speak at the retreat! This was not what she had expected, or what she would have chosen for herself. However, she graciously accepted, while admitting on the phone, “The only reason I can say ‘Yes’ is because I already told God before you called that I would do whatever he asked of me.” Her humble submission to God before 8  HimPower January/February 2019 she was asked to speak, enabled her to travel quickly down the path of obedience; instead of anxiously wringing her hands at the crossroads. Similarly, we see this type of willing- ness in Mary, when she was visited by the angel Gabriel and was told that she was going to bear a son. How incredible, how confusing, how unimaginable! To be with child by the Holy Spirit? Before committing to such a life changing act of obedience, shouldn’t she be able to at least get some answers? Who would explain this to Joseph? What would this entail for her future? Obedience can be frightening because God often calls us to action before revealing how it will all turn out (in terms of earthly circumstances). But Mary’s response is an expression of utter surrender, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” (see Luke 1:38). She submitted herself completely to her