25 March, Tuesday — Just say ‘Yes’

25 Mar – Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

The annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Gabriel the archangel that she was to be the Mother of God (Luke 1), the Word being made flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The feast probably originated about the time of the Council of Ephesus (c. 431), and is first mentioned in the Sacramentary of Pope Gelasius (d. 496).

The Annunciation has been a key topic in Christian art in general, as well as in Roman Catholic Marian art, particularly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It is represented in art by many masters, among them Fra Angelico, Hubert Van Eyck, Ghirlandajo, Holbein the Elder, Lippi, Pinturicchio, and Del Sarto.

This feast is celebrated on Mar 25, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) on Dec 25.

The Annunciation is also mentioned twice in the Quran, the holy book for the Muslims.

– Patron Saint Index, Wikipedia

Isa 7:10-14,8:10
Heb 10:4-10
Lk 1:26-38

“God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will!”

I have been journeying with a fellow brother, who was retrenched. He has a wife and two children here and because he is a foreigner, his visa will soon expire. He shared recently that his wife has had to resign from her job due to the uncertainty of his ‘status’.

Despite this dark cloud hanging over his head, he continues to turn up for our monthly overnight vigils and other prayer/worship sessions with a broad smile and a heart that is filled with love for God. In our chats, he has steadfastly proclaimed that, “I trust fully in God’s providence and that He will take care of me.”

Brothers and sisters, I cannot profess to fully understand the gravity/depth of any situation that God may place me in. Just this month alone, I have been ‘called’ each week to serve and even to share to a men’s ministry about how I have been living in the spirit, since I encountered Christ personally. And in discerning His plan(s) for me, I have learnt that it is more important to avail myself and to just say ‘Yes’, rather than overthink or over-rationalise before coming to a decision. I wonder if Mary felt the same way when the angel Gabriel made the proclamation to her.

I must say that plunging headlong into a situation used to be my modus operandi in my younger days. Then, as I got older, I became a bit more risk averse and learnt to analyse situations better before I agreed to anything. Then after CER, when I decided to start serving in my current ministry and music became a central pillar of my faith journey, He began to open many interesting doors for me…after I just said ‘Yes’ whenever I was asked/approached by others.

My better half has always wondered how I can keep up with all the demands on my time, especially on some weekends. However, He has always paved the way for me provided my ‘Yes’ has been a sincere, humble and heartfelt one – without any agenda, other than glorifying Him.

So next time someone approaches you to serve in any capacity in your church, don’t fall back on the tried and true ‘but I have no time’ or ‘I am not qualified’ or ‘Why me?’ Sometimes, the knock comes when we least expect it. And from the unlikeliest of people. So just say ‘Yes’.  

(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)

Prayer: Abba Father, we avail ourselves to your call. We ask you to qualify us when you call and to fill us with your spirit so that we can confidently say ‘Yes’ to your plan for us.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for always looking out for us and for giving us opportunities to serve in your kingdom.