When I ponder the concept of opening my life to God, Mary is the first person to come to my mind. After the Angel Gabriel brings her the good news that she will bear a son and name him Jesus, Mary replies with, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” We hear similar words from Jesus as he prays in the garden alone after the last supper, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but Yours be done.” Jesus wasn’t as welcoming to the will of God at that point as Mary is at the annunciation, yet He knew the heart of the Father so intimately that He too said yes. Both Mary and Jesus knew that it would not be easy to do the will of the Father, that living a life of saying yes to God is hard. It requires us to see God in our lives, to hear His voice and know it so well that we hear it even when the world is louder, and it requires us to trust in God’s will for us in both the little and big decisions.
Sometimes it is hard to trust that we can live up to the example of Mary or Jesus and how they said yes and allowed their lives to be opened to the will of God. Six years ago I read an incredible story of a man by the name of Louis Zamperini. He is known for being an Olympic runner and a World War II veteran. If you haven’t read his story check it out (Unbroken – book or movie). During WWII Louis was lost at sea for 47 days, when he was rescued it was by the Japanese. He became a prisoner of war for the next two years where he became a regular target of one of the guards. After returning home Louis struggles with life until he meets and listens to Billy Graham and turns his life around. In the end, Louis forgives his tormenter and finds peace. This is what happens when we open our lives to God – when we say yes to doing the hard things in life, while trusting that the fruit of what we do is far beyond what we can even imagine.
What parts of my life do I open to God? Is it just certain pieces, or do I give it all to Him? When have I surrendered to God’s will and what came from it?
Action:
Prayer:
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
Leader: This is the final week of Advent, the final days of waiting and anticipating the coming of Jesus. Jesus came to earth for each one of us. During His ministry He tells us to care for others and that through caring for others we care for Him. So this Christmas, when our day to day world feels so different, celebrations are smaller, and traditions have been cancelled, how can we care for others?
One way we can do this to pray for them. Who do you want to keep specially in our prayers this week?
Have everyone name the person(s) they would like to pray for.
Pause in silence.
Leader:
O God,
you wonderfully created us in your likeness and image.
When we struggled to live in unity with you,
your Son Jesus reminded us
of our goodness and our friendship with you.
He teaches us that we have a choice
to love you and follow you in all we do.
We pray, that we may love like Jesus has shown us.
Hear the prayers that we offered,
and grant them through your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Light the Advent wreath (all four candles)
Reader: “And the angel said to her in reply, “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. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:35-38
All: “Open my life, Lord so that I, too, can live the life You call me to.”
Song: “Open My Eyes, Lord”
Leader: May Almighty God Bless and watch over us this Advent season.
All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
