As we move through Advent and prepare our hearts for Christmas, I keep returning to Mary’s story. She was asked to say yes when everything in her life told her to say no.
We all have days when simply getting out of bed feels heavy—when the day ahead seems filled with uncertainty, loneliness, hard conversations, or responsibilities that feel larger than our capacity. Many of us know the pressure of being needed, pouring out, and trying to show up when we don’t feel like we have much left to give.
And yet, even in those moments, the Lord meets us with quiet strength and a gentle invitation:
Say yes.
Yes to the day.
Yes to what He’s placed before us.
Yes to trusting Him for the strength we lack.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
And that’s when Mary’s story speaks so deeply.
When the angel appeared, Mary faced real risk. In her culture, pregnancy outside of marriage meant the loss of stability, security, and community support. She faced the likely loss of her fiancé. By choosing yes to God’s invitation, she stepped into the unknown with courage and obedience.
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
— Luke 1:38
And still… she said yes.
God didn’t choose Mary because she had resources, certainty, or influence. He chose her because of her humility, her character, and her willingness to trust Him. He brought her to the end of herself—and then moved powerfully through her obedience.
It is often when we come to the end of us that He moves, and we become ready to follow.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6
Just as God saw Mary, He sees you.
He sees the weight you carry, the responsibilities before you, and the desire in your heart to honor Him—even on the days that feel hard.
We all face decisions, opportunities, and unknowns. And as we discern God’s invitations, one simple truth helps guide us:
Let God open and close the doors.
Unless He gives us a clear reason to say no, we can walk through the doors He opens—trusting that He will provide the strength we do not have on our own.
At the Christian Counseling Center of Battle Creek, it is our privilege to walk with people through the hard, the messy, and the meaningful places of life. We say yes to serving because God first said yes to us.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2
This Advent season, may we remember that God is always inviting us into more—more trust, more surrender, more dependence on His strength.
Our job is simply to listen… pay attention… and say yes.