Day 14 Advent Reflection: God With Us in Our Surrender
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 14 December 2025
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
Welcome to Day 14.
Today we are looking at one of the most pivotal moments in the entire Bible. It is the moment the door was unlocked from the inside.
We often see paintings of the Annunciation that make Mary look very passive. She is usually depicted sitting quietly, looking down, perhaps with a halo and a gentle smile. It all looks very serene and safe. But if we strip away the artistic gloss, we see that this was actually a moment of terrifying courage.
Mary was a young girl, likely a teenager. She lived in a culture where a pregnancy outside of marriage was not just a scandal; it was a crime punishable by death. When the angel Gabriel told her she was going to conceive a son, she knew exactly what that could cost her. She risked losing her reputation. She risked losing her fiancé, Joseph. She even risked losing her life.
Yet, in the face of all that fear, she spoke words of total surrender: "May your word to me be fulfilled."
In our modern world, "surrender" is not a very popular word. It usually implies losing a battle. It means waving a white flag, giving up territory, or admitting defeat. We are taught to be strong, to be in control, and to make things happen for ourselves.
But Mary teaches us that spiritual surrender is different. It is not about giving up; it is about opening up.
God had a plan to save the world, but He chose not to force it upon humanity. He waited for a partner. He waited for someone to say "yes." Mary’s surrender was not an act of weakness; it was an act of incredible strength. She was willing to let go of her own plans for her life to make room for God’s plans. She was willing to trust Him with her reputation and her future.
This is often the hardest part of our walk with God. We want Him to be "With Us," but we often want Him to be with us on our terms. We want Him to bless the plans we have already made. We want Him to fix our problems without changing our hearts.
True surrender means handing over the pen and letting God write the next chapter. It means saying, "Lord, I don't know where this is going, but I trust You enough to follow."
Perhaps God is asking for your surrender in a specific area today. Maybe it is a relationship you are holding on to too tightly. Maybe it is a career path that has become an idol. Or maybe it is just the need to be right in an argument.
It is scary to let go. It feels like falling. But remember who you are surrendering to. You are not surrendering to a tyrant; you are surrendering to a loving Father who knows you better than you know yourself.
Mary’s "yes" brought Jesus into the world. I wonder what beautiful things God could birth in our lives if we were brave enough to pray that same prayer today?
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, we are amazed by Mary’s courage. We confess that we like to be in control and that surrender frightens us. Please give us the faith to trust You with our whole lives. We echo Mary’s prayer today: "I am the Lord’s servant." May Your will be done in my life, in my family, and in my future. We open our hands and our hearts to You. Amen.