The YES Adventure is a life of saying YES to God. We've pretty well established that. But, what does that look like? Who is a good representative of the YES life, someone who said yes continually? One of the best biblical examples of someone living the YES adventure is Mary, the mother of Jesus.

We all know the story of the angel Gabriel coming to tell Mary that she had been chosen, out of the thousands of young Jewish women in Israel at that time, to become the mother of God's son. Put yourself in her shoes for a minute. This young, Jewish girl, doing her best to follow God, living according to the cultural norms of her day, betrothed by her father's plan, doing the things that were expected of her. Suddenly, she experiences an event way outside the norm. An angel visits her. An angel! She recognizes God at work, but is most likely shocked at what the angel proposes. A baby? In the betrothal period, she was considered Joseph's wife, but the marriage would not be consummated until the end of that period. How would she explain a baby? How could she convince anyone that it was God's baby? How will Joseph react? How will her family react? What will happen to her? She could be divorced, disowned, disgraced, even stoned. Yet, she doesn't let the questions stop her from saying YES. She accepts whatever may happen as the result of her YES without knowing what those consequences might be. She placed herself completely in God's hands.

In Luke 1:38 Mary gives the answer that begins her YES adventure. She says "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Other translations say "as you said" or "may your word to me be fulfilled." Your YES adventure and mine begins the same way. We put ourselves completely in God's hands and say "God, do what You want with me."

Mary's YES allowed her to participate in the purposes of God. Her no would have excluded her from God's purposes. She knew that there was a risk involved. She had questions that were not answered in a concrete way. All she knew was that God was asking something of her. God had given her a mission, to bear his Son. How could she turn him down? So, Mary's YES adventure began. She gave God her YES. He did the rest.

What is God asking of you? As you recognize Him at work, calling you, there is really only one thing to do if you want to live this adventure of a YES life. Say YES and leave the rest to him. Mary will tell you that, although it is scary, God can be trusted and it's worth the risk.

Key thought: Give God your YES. Trust Him with the rest.

A Scripture to consider:

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:38 ESV

A YES challenge: What is God asking of you that will involve risk and requires your YES? Decide how you will respond today. Don't put it off any longer.

Prayer:

Father, it's scary, this thought of giving You my YES without knowing how everything is going to turn out. I'll be honest. I am intimidated by the risks. I'd really like to have an idea where all of this will lead, but today I choose to stand with Mary and put my life completely in Your hands. Today I give you my YES and trust You to do the rest. Amen.