Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.
Reading: Luke 2:1–7 (ESV); Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV)
Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.
Mary's calling required sacrifice—misunderstanding, discomfort, danger, and ultimately heartbreak. Yet God used her surrender to bring salvation into the world. Jesus Himself demonstrated this pattern: glory laid down leads to salvation raised up. In God’s kingdom, sacrifice always precedes significance. What you surrender to God, He multiplies. Your obedience, though costly, becomes the soil where His purposes grow.
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…
- Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
- Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Jesus, help me embrace sacrifice the way You did. Give me a willing heart that values Your purpose over my comfort.
- Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.
Take Action:
- Identify one area where comfort is limiting obedience and commit to a sacrificial step.
- Share your step with someone who can support and encourage your obedience.