Engaging in God’s Heart for the Nations: 30-Day DevotionalSýnishorn

Whatever You Say, Jesus! – Day 24

Lisa Ausley, OMS USA Board of Trustees

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”

While I was wrestling with my experience of sanctification, Jesus led me to a verse that has become my statement of faith. It is my mantra as I cry out in times of pain, confusion, and frustration. It is what Jesus’ mom said to the angel when he told her the shocking best—and worst—news of her life: she, an unmarried girl, was going to have a baby!

“I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (NABRE) I struggled to live this statement. I had big plans for my life! I feared giving up my dreams—until my theology of God overcame my hesitations. If he were really who I believed him to be, I would give up nothing. Instead, I was tying my sail to the God who could take me places and use my life. And when I finally said yes to him, I was at peace … and have been since. I am humbled to be his servant. Life his way has been much better than life my way.

I love being aligned with a mission organization like OMS that, like Mary, serves by the statement, “Whatever you say, Jesus!” The answer to his call, whatever it is, whenever it comes, is simply, “Yes!”