Squeezing a YES in
Would you believe that right smack dab in the middle of Christmas busyness, I am working in an Early Voting polling location for nine days (December 1st to 9th – with Sunday the 4th off) and on the 13th, the main Election. It is for the City of Austin’s Runoff Election between two candidates for mayor. In the main election, they shared a very close number of votes – too close to declare a winner. The election had to be held right here at Christmas.
And while I have much to do and places to go, I said “Yes” to the call to serve. I’m not sorry for it. Yes, I still have presents to buy and wrap, cookies and other goodies to make, church services and parties to attend, traveling to East Texas and returning on Christmas Day…..but I said “YES”!
YES, because it’s the least I can do as a civic duty and responsibility. YES, because it’s an opportunity to be a “light” to the voters and my co-workers. YES, because I just might cause someone to rethink what is most important in our lives. So, I squeezed it all in. But, my YES, pales in comparison to Mary’s “Yes”!
I think about Mary’s “Yes” and I desire that her “yes” becomes my “yes”. Mary’s “yes” changed her life. We all know that “yes” doesn’t mean, “The End”. It is, in most instances, the beginning of ginormous changes to our lives — our schedules, our time, our energy (or the lack thereof), our thought processes and our commitment.
I know my recent “Yes” to serving in this election comes with a disruption to my usual Christmas schedule. But, I also know that saying “Yes” to God , comes with many rewards. I sense Him with me in every way!
Here’s the phenomenon about Mary’s “Yes”. Because of her “yes”, she became the mother of Jesus. Though her ordinary life was made sacred by way of an invitation that she affirmed, she was still like any mother. She was still needed by her baby boy in the middle of the night. She still had to chase her toddler Jesus with the hopes of a nap soon to come. I’ve been there – haven’t you?
I found that Mary’s life was no longer hers. Everything about that precious baby consumed her, like our babies were to us. The difference is that her attention turned toward the child who was Jesus. The beloved song, “Mary Did You Know?”, makes us wonder, if she had known what was up ahead for her and her baby boy, would she still have said “yes”?
In our lives, we don’t know what lies ahead, but with our willingness to follow He Who loves us beyond description and has a Master Plan to work out in us, like Mary, we can resign our thoughts and submit to God’s perfect plan for us.
When we say “yes” to God, He is inviting us to do what is in our capacity to do. Otherwise, He wouldn’t have asked. I’ve learned over and over….”Where He guides, He provides”. Most importantly, He invites us to see our ordinary roles as sacred. The sacredness of dependence on God for His grace and mercy to be with us in times of decision making. The sacredness of possessing His wisdom to guide those He entrusts to us.
The sacredness of daily being full of the Fruit of the Spirit as we assist in carving out our children’s places in this world. The sacredness of being a light to those God calls us to encourage and support around us. And, I am sure getting the opportunity to do and be just that to my election co-workers.
I sincerely desire that my “Yes” is raising my hands toward heaven and surrendering my agenda for God’s agenda. I surrender all! All to Jesus I surrender. I surrender all! Mary’s “Yes” — My “Yes” — I’m there — How about you?