If you want to make it big, you aim for Los Angeles or New York. You don’t expect history to break out of quiet towns. And you definitely don’t plan for greatness to come from somewhere like Fontana.
That assumption is reasonable. It also misses how God works.
God often begins His greatest work in overlooked places. Not among the impressive, but among the willing.
Mary was young, poor, and from Nazareth, a town people mocked. And yet, that’s where God sent His messenger. Not to announce comfort, but calling.
When the angel spoke, Mary didn’t respond with confidence. She responded with honesty. How can this be? That question didn’t disqualify her. It opened the door for God’s power.
Mary’s strength wasn’t her understanding. It was her surrender. Let it be to me according to Your word. In that moment, heaven touched earth through a simple yes.
Mary didn’t give birth to an idea. She carried the presence of God into the world. And while we’ll never give birth to a Savior, we’re still called to carry Him. To carry His life and His kingdom purpose into the places we live.
The same God still works this way. He steps into ordinary lives and asks a familiar question: Will you trust Me enough to say yes?
Read: Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 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.
Reflect: What is God inviting you to say yes to, even if you do not yet understand how it will unfold?
Based on the sermon, “Let it Be” by Pastor James Marano
