Mothers of the BibleSample

Mary: Surrendering to God’s Will

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. —Luke 1:38, NIV

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a powerful example of surrender. In Luke 1, we see her world turned upside down by the angel Gabriel’s visit. She was a young, engaged woman with a future that probably seemed predictable and secure. Then came the astonishing announcement: She would conceive and give birth to the Son of God.

When Mary became pregnant, her situation was deeply precarious. Engagements, like her betrothal to Joseph, were legally binding in Jewish culture, almost as binding as marriage itself. Breaking a betrothal was equivalent to divorce, and if a woman was found to be pregnant outside of this covenant, it was viewed as evidence of infidelity—a grave offense under Jewish law.

The penalties for such an act could be harsh. According to the Law of Moses, a woman caught in adultery could be publicly shamed and even stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). At the very least, Mary would have faced ostracism, rejection from her family and public disgrace. Her reputation—and, by extension, her family’s—would have been ruined. These were not theoretical risks: They were very real dangers she would have understood when she chose to accept God’s plan.

The fact that Mary still responded with faith and surrender is astonishing. Her words, “I am the Lord’s servant … May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38, NIV), reflect her complete trust in God’s protection and provision. Her faith was deeply rooted in her understanding of God’s faithfulness throughout Israel’s history. Mary knew the risks but also trusted that God, who had chosen her, would make a way as he always does.

As moms, we often hold tightly to our plans for our children, our families and our future. It’s natural to want the best for those we love, but Mary’s story reminds us that God’s plans are always greater than our own. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up; it means trusting that the one who loves us most knows what is best.

Through Mary’s surrender of her body and her heart, came Jesus’ birth. And the world was never the same.

Challenge: This week, spend time in prayer, asking God to help you surrender your plans to his perfect will. Pray specifically for strength and trust in areas where you may be holding on too tightly. Embrace Mary’s example and say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your will be done.”